Revenge of the Magic of Carealot

Disclaimer: I do not own: Slayers or anything else that ends up on this story! Especially Waldo…

Insert: Prelude to the impending battle…and a little more Dragon talk!

"It can't be! It just can't!" Lina growled once more as she examined for the millionth time the spot where Zel vanished. Gourry patiently stood by watching her quietly. She had been doing and saying the same thing for 3 days now since the kidnapping. Anzu – dressed in the formal purple robes of mourning – softly passed on a short message to Gourry.

"Lina we have to go…Amelia's gonna give her speech now," he said softly placing a hand gently on her shoulder. Lina nodded and sighed in defeat but Gourry knew she would return here tomorrow. Hand in hand they made their way to the grand balcony where Amelia was to speak to her people and tell them of the choice Akmed and Gaston had forced upon her.

Scouts in the remote watch stations at the borders of Saillune had spotted a horde of monsters and creatures of every kind. Their numbers rivaled that of the Saillune army but General Walker had marshaled his forces that morning and ridden out to meet them in battle! Lina arrived as stone faced Amelia prepared to place the choice before her people.

"Whatever happens Amelia…we're with you!" Lina asserted putting firm hands on Amelia's shoulders. Filia squeezed Amelia's hand gently and nodded resolutely in silent agreement with Lina's words. Amelia nodded in solemn gratitude and stood gracefully and solemnly from her oversized chair. She felt dead inside. In the course of her life she had lost too many of those she held dearest to her: Her mother, her sister, her uncles and cousin and now her beloved Zelgadis.

There was no hope left in her. Everything she'd believed in had failed her. She had always been willing to believe that tomorrow would be better if you just keep believing in yourself but losing Zelgadis was a breaking point for her. She could no longer muster the strength to believe that tomorrow would be better. As far as she could tell she was destined to lose all that she loved. Everything she loved was doomed! She raised her hands and cast an amplification spell so all could hear her.

"My people I address you today because a grave choice has been placed before me…" she began solemnly as silence fell upon the crowd. She explained the terms of Gaston's threat but she explained that a choice that impacted so heavily upon all… was a choice she couldn't make alone. So she put herself in their hands. She would willingly surrender to Akmed and Gaston if it would spare the destruction of her beloved country.

"On the other hand the brave soldiers and sorcerers of this land have already committed themselves to fight and defend their homes to the last one of them! As the ruler of this country I put the choice before you: Fight or Surrender…" she concluded solemnly. The deep silence that weighed heavily upon the crowd was broken by one small voice. A skinny teenager wearing large round glasses and a funny hat spoke first:

"Fight! I will fight!" he yelled as loud as he could. Amelia didn't know who he was but for some strange reason she could always spot him no matter how big the crowd. Encouraged by this teenager's boldness the people around him yelled their agreement and soon a chant rose up from the crowd:

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

Philionel smiled sadly and placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. He had been certain this would be the choice though to Amelia it didn't seem to matter. Saillune would be destroyed one way or the other. At least that's what she had said to parliament the day before and she was partially right. But as long as its people survived there was hope to rebuild. It pained him deeply to see her as she was now she had not cried since that day but she had not smiled or laughed its as if the light inside her had finally been extinguished.

"This is the Plan…" Phil intoned solemnly. He immediately explained the plan to evacuate all those who could not fight but most families had already sent their children and their elderly away to safer grounds. Anyone capable of carrying a weapon should report to the armory. Zangalus insisted Martina and the girls leave as soon as they found out but he remained behind.

She dispatched a contingent of troops from Xoana expected to arrive the day after tomorrow to join the ones from Argonia and Galbadia that had arrived yesterday. It had been a pleasant surprise to see Prince Pavan shy as he was stand up and pledge his support to the troops of Saillune in defending the castle. He had even sent a messenger to send troops but his land was so far away it was uncertain whether they would make it in time.

Auron and his apprentice were no surprise but Prince Charmles predictably enough found an excuse to flee early on as did the other prince-lings who were cowards and had stayed merely to save face before. They chose now to save their worthless hides!

Auron was in command of the Argonian troops positioned near the castle itself and Tidus volunteered to serve with Kaiba's men guarding the castle perimeter. Yuna and her handmaiden/bodyguards would help guard the castle too. Squall, Cloud and Zell volunteered to guard the medic teams that would head out into the city. No surprise since Aerith, Rinoa and Sylphiel would be heading some of those teams.

Mai and Jessie would head out with the first line of defense at the city gates. Chelsea had joined with the heavy artillery squads and left with General Walker that morning. Raven's powerful unerring aim would be put to the ultimate test high on the first guard tower at the city gates. Her job would be to stop as many as she could with her magical bow and arrows.

Tifa and Yuffie would join Squall and the others in the inner city to protect the medical squads and stop anything that snuck past the gates defenses. Lisa would head one of the med teams along with Kelly Morris. Though she had retired from her fighting handmaiden days she volunteered to serve when her husband Zack rode off with General Walker. Anzu would remain at the castle with Kaiba's men and be the last line of defense. So would Lina, Gourry and Zangalus.

"Anyone who cannot travel will be moved to the castle away from the battlefield!" Phil concluded as he watched people young and old line up and followed Capt Kaiba up to the armory. He turned to Amelia.

"Now we wait…" he said softly. She nodded and continued to watch as her people purposefully prepared to defend their homes. Lina, Gourry and Zangalus joined her on the balcony.

"I think General Walker will stop them though!" Gourry reassured.

"Yes… he'll have them running to their mommies!" Zangalus added with a smirk. Amelia sighed she knew what they were doing. They were trying to cheer her up. So with effort she conjured a small weak smile and nodded making a comment on how she hoped they were right. She turned back to look at her city the flags flew at half-mast in mourning. Deep inside her she wanted to believe that she could see this city next week and not see the destruction that she was certain would befall it.

'Nothing is left…the hero wasn't supposed to die…' she thought as her mind created an image of what her city would look like after the battle. Her heart sunk even lower.

Meanwhile General Walker's forces were poised on the brink of battle. He walked the lines of the men and women serving with him giving the occasional morale boosting praise. According to his scouts the monstrous army had not reached the borders of Saillune and was still at least two days out from their reach. The report came back that the citizens of Saillune as one decided to stand and fight and he smiled as he shared the information with his troops.

"We are the first line of defense! We will hold our position with our strength and honor! Nothing will get past us!" the general called out as a roar of approval rose from his troops. He nodded in approval and turned to look in the distance where the dark outline of the evil army could barely be seen. According to the scouts they were still a couple of days away from the Saillune border they now stood guard on.

"Ok you two! Bring it on!" he said softly a smirk of challenge on his lips…

'Damn it all!' Kaiba grumbled angrily as he made his way to his quarters to check on Mokuba and Val. It angered him that he had been helpless to assist his princess and Lord Greywords when they needed him most. It was utterly frustrating to him that he could not help Prince Phil and the Queen now! All he ever wanted in his life was to be strong enough to protect that which he cared for the most.

Lord Greywords hadn't just been his liege he had been his friend. One person he would freely admit to anyone that he could respect and admire above all others. He was the one person from whom he had learned the most about life and about himself. He had become a stronger and a better person for his wisdom and guidance and when he could've done something to help him…

"I wasn't there!" he growled angrily as he paused outside the door to his new little townhouse recently acquired after so many years of working hard and saving. He looked around as people hurried up and down the street. Neighbors paused to say their farewells to those who would stay to fight or remind each other what part of the city they would defend promising to do it together. His resolve steeled as he watched the sun set behind the palace.

'I will defend this city! I will find the strength this time to protect what I love!' He promised himself firmly banishing the anger sorrow he felt in his heart as he entered the house. As he went up a short staircase that separated the door from the living areas and entered the living room/dining room area he was a little surprised to see Ms. Filia asleep on his couch. Mokuba and Val were being quieter than he'd ever seen them sitting on the floor working on a puzzle. She did not stir as he approached.

Ms. Filia had revealed herself a dragon in the interest of helping evacuate those who couldn't travel on land by air instead of putting them in the castle. He knelt in front of her to watch her for a moment. The children joined him there quietly and he put an arm around each child. He wasn't surprised that she'd be tired she had been ferrying the sick and elderly and anyone else unable to make the long travels for two days now with hardly a break.

When she wasn't doing that every priest and white magic user in the city hounded her every spare moment so she could bestow on them some special dragon knowledge or a simple blessing in hopes for their victory. She had not a moment's peace since she showed herself in dragon form. To be honest Seto too had been awestruck. Ms. Filia was every bit as magnificent as he imagined her to be.

'Radiant as the sun but even as amazing as you are you too have your limits…' he thought hoping that once the battle began tomorrow he would have strength enough to protect her too. With a few signals he sent Mokuba and Val to prepare the bed in the main room upstairs. The two children hurried up the stairs as Seto carefully lifted Filia from the couch and headed up the stairs.

'At least I can protect your rest right now,' Seto thought as he made his way carefully up the stairs so as to not wake her. Filia had denied no one but the children had started getting worried about her lack of respite. It was likely they who insisted she come here rather than go back to their quarters in the palace where everyone would be pounding constantly on her door. He placed her gently on his bed and the boys covered her quickly. She sighed contently and snuggled into the blankets. Seto signaled for the boys to follow him out and he closed the door behind them.

"Mokuba…Val there's something both of you will need to hear…" he said solemnly and lead both boys back downstairs. He sat them both on the couch and sitting on the coffee table he faced both children. Both looked at him expectantly the awe and love in their eyes went straight to his heart. Contrary to what Anzu usually said he did have one!

'But I am still lowly compared to you both!' he sighed then began the sad tale of his past. "Mokuba you know that I am the last trained druid. I know you've always wondered why you can't do some of the things druids can do even though you can feel plenty of power within you," he continued recounting the times Seto had told the boy he would understand in time. There was no time now however…

"I am the last druid and you are a dragon," Mokuba stared incredulous and shook his head Val merely smiled and nodded. Seto was not surprised that the boy had sensed it.

"Long ago we druids were beloved of the Ancient Dragons. They protected us as we protected the forests and the natural world but a war broke out between the Ancients and the Golden Dragons…" he recounted that when they realized that they were losing a few of the Ancients took their eggs and entrusted them to the druids for safe keeping.

"Your mother cast a concealment spell altering your memory when you hatched so you would be safe among us until you were old enough to defend yourself," he continued however the Goldens got wind of it and they attacked all the druid villages. But not knowing which were the dragons and which the druids they wiped everyone out.

"We were no match for them I carried you into the forest but despite nature's protection I could do nothing against the two dragons coming after me," he said softly recalling the shame and guilt he felt at not being strong enough to protect his charge. Both stared in shock at him but said nothing.

"I thought we were going to die but one of the golden dragons turned against her comrades and came to our aid," Seto spoke more quickly now as he could see rage building in Val's eyes and Val was dangerous when angry despite being young. The golden dragon cast a spell sending him and Mokuba far into the future to lands far away from the war. Thus he and Mokuba ended up here in Saillune…

"I do not harbor any ill will towards Ms Filia because she simply had no fault in any of it. As druids we were taught to revere all dragons whether golden or ancient and to us death is a celebration for the forest gives us life and then takes us back into its arms…the final step in achieving enlightenment," he said this to Val with a look of nostalgia and a glimpse in his tone of the happiness and pride his people once took in their simple ways.

For a minute he found himself sidetracking talking wistfully about how his grandmother taught him to hear the voice of the forest feel its beating heart and become one with its spirit. How his father taught him to find the gifts that the forest freely bestowed to its inhabitants to feed and clothe their people. He smiled sadly as he talked about his mother and the ointments and salves, potions and stews she taught him to make at the hearth in their humble yet happy abode.

"It's been so many years since I've allowed myself to remember," Seto sighed wistfully as he looked upon the two silent children. Val's rage calmed and turned to sadness as Seto going back now to his story explained that as they disappeared he witnessed as she was killed by her own people for her betrayal.

He further explained that Mokuba had been too young to remember the ordeal. That and the fact that he was the last hatchling to receive the concealment spell hampered his ability to remember his time among the druids or the how to use the abilities that are innate to him. Seto had been a very young boy too barely ten years old. He was a genius then too which came as no surprise to his clan being the grandson of the clan matriarch. He had showed advancement far beyond his years.

"I'm sorry I kept it a secret Mokuba but it was my sacred duty to protect you until the time you could recall your ancient past on your own! It was the vow I made to your mother and the golden dragon who sacrificed her life to save us both!" he was speaking with an urgency and determination that kept both the children silent eyes wide with amazement.

"I don't know how to break your mother's spell only you can! I hope you can find the way soon because there is more I need you to do…" he hesitated but pressed on knowing that what he said next was necessary even if his pride and honor didn't agree with it!

"If the battle goes badly both of you must use your powers and get Ms Filia away from here! The three of you must live no matter what!" he affirmed banishing the sting of shame at once again not being able to repay his debt on his own. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that. Little Val seemed to finally find his voice then as he threw himself in Seto's arms.

"No! No! No Seto-papa I won't let you die! I won't! I won't!" he cried his voice muffled because his face was buried in Seto's jacket. Mokuba jumped in then too throwing his arms around both Seto and Val tears streaming down his face too.

"I don't care what I am you're still my big brother! I won't let go!" he sobbed in to Seto's arms which now encircled both children. He sighed and smiled sadly.

"Even if my life doesn't end tomorrow it will still be extinguished well before your ancient years are over," he began in that serious lecturing tone that was his trademark "but as long as the forest exists so will I!" he ended with conviction. Slowly the children stopped crying.

"Ok… but can you please not die tomorrow?" little Val asked hiccupping and sobbing. Seto chuckled and ruffled his hair.

"I will do my very best to delay the call of the forest tomorrow," he answered solemnly. He got up finally and told them to pick up their toys and puzzles while he went to prepare dinner. He did his best to assure them that their victory was certain. Despite his valiant effort though the children still feared for their beloved protector and both decided to make their own plans…

Victoria arrived at Carealot with Trish and the two hurried to the hall of hearts to gather the Care Family. Trish asked why the weird little heart shaped clock with no numbers wasn't working. Victoria quickly explained about the connection between the Caring Meter and Zelgadis' fiancée as they hurried forward and that she had to disable it for the time being.

"Alright I've assembled you all because Amelia and her friends need a little help!" Victoria began. True Heart and Noble Heart returned as she explained what was happening in Saillune and how the eager little bears and their cousins could assist…

Ok my Slayers muse is definitely on the mend and it was once again my five year old son accomplished this shall we say feat? He suggested I make up a Power Rangers story with the Slayers. So we watched the season three episode with Amelia and Gourry but he was not satisfied so he made me watch his new Power Rangers Mystic Force DVDs 'til my brain turned to mush and finally new life was breathed back into my helpless muse!

Fear not for no Power Rangers will make appearances here! Come on people haven't I done enough with inflicting Care Bears on you!