Hello, all! As per the normal disclaimer, I don't own anything. I'm just a fan writing some fiction. Please enjoy!

13- Business As Usual

"In actuality... I have a business proposition for you, Xellos."

"A business proposition?" It seemed as though Azarel had piqued Xellos' interest.

"Well, we are old comrades, aren't we?" Azarel walked to the other side of the alleyway as though he were circling Xellos.

"Once again, you seem to be stretching it a little. I'd say we were more like rivals, wouldn't you?"

"Rivals? Xellos, I'm hurt!" Azarel gasped, but his dismay seemed somewhat feigned. "Just a thousand years ago we were slicing our way through dragon armies like the best of friends!"

"You made it very clear that it was a competition." Xellos responded curtly. "And now you want to make it look like we were fighting together just because you lost?"

"That's not it at all!" Azarel exclaimed with more fake surprise. "If I'm offering a business proposition, I want to highlight how good we've worked before as a team! Or..." His countenance changed. "...perhaps the rumours are true, then. Instead of killing dragons, you're more interested in-"

"I highly doubt that your business proposal has anything to do with my relationship with dragons." Xellos cut him off.

"Ah, yes. Of course. My apologies- I got a little sidetracked." Azarel corrected himself, beginning to circle Xellos again. "The question I have invited you here to present you with is quite simple. I am offering you the chance to join my team, Xellos. You may refuse, of course, but... just know that I advise against it."
There was a long pause.

"Ah... aha... ahahahahahaha! Y-you're joking, right? You must be! Join your team? Ahahahahahaha! What a joke! It's actually funny!"

Lina had to cover her mouth to avoid joining in with Xellos' laughter as she watched Azarel's smug expression disintegrate. This clearly wasn't the answer that he had been expecting.

"Hah... funny indeed..." Azarel murmured through clenched teeth and a forced smile. "You really have no idea what I'm after, do you Xellos? How dare you be so disrespectful to your new Hellmaster?"

Gourry elbowed Lina. "Hellmaster?" he whispered. "Didn't you kill him?"

"Shhh~!" Lina responded, covering his mouth. "Not so loud. I'm trying to listen."

"You're the new Hellmaster, hmm? I'll admit, I'm a little surprised. I didn't know that you were the leader-type. You always did follow Phibrizzo around like a little dog, after all."

Azarel smirked. "Phibrizzo entrusted me with keeping up his proud tradition. I can't let him down after all the work he did. Besides, my goals are loftier than anything that Phibrizzo ever attempted- he never once thought to combine the powers of all Shabranigdo's retainers. You should feel honoured that I'm asking you to take part, Xellos."

Lina gripped the brick wall even tighter. There's more to Azarel's plan than just the Key...? There's got to be, if she's asking Xellos for his help...

"Combining the powers of all the retainers? They were split for a reason, you know. Is that even possible?" Xellos responded.

"I'm gathering warriors belonging to each of the remaining retainers of Shabranigdo. All of Gaav's servants were either killed or assimilated into other Mazoku's armies, and I am all that truly remains of Phibrizzo's army, but I do have a servant of Dolphin and a servant of Dynast under my control-"

"Servants?! You're talking about the misfit rogues that you've been collecting? They're not servants of anyone." Xellos laughed. "Sure, one was created by a subordinate of Lord Dolphin, but he was abandoned almost as soon as he was created. And the other... weren't you aware that Zaragio was banished from Dynast's army a long time ago? His son wouldn't have any connection to Dynast! Surely there's some other full-blooded Mazoku who could aid you even more..."

"There's more to the little half-demon than meets the eye. He's naive, but intelligent- that's the best kind of subordinate. Easy to brainwash, loyal, and highly useful. Besides..." Azarel smiled darkly. "I need some way to get back at Lina Inverse, don't I? It was almost as though fate delivered revenge right into my hands..."

"Revenge? Revenge for what? Killing Phibrizzo?"

Azarel shook his head. "No, that's not it! You don't understand- you can't understand! Few people in the world could ever understand my hatred for that damned sorceress!" Out of breath from the outburst, Azarel stopped to gather his composure before continuing. "That's... exactly why I need the misfit rogue and the half-demon kid... so that someone will finally understand... how it feels... to have so much hatred flowing through your soul..."

Lina shrunk back a bit from the wall, pressing herself against Gourry, making absolutely sure that neither of the Mazoku around the corner could see her.

"So..." Xellos eyed Azarel suspiciously. "If the two rogues you've collected fill your needs so nicely, why do you want me?"

"I need one of Beastmaster's servants." Azarel replied.

"And you choose me? You've been scraping the leftovers from the bottom of the barrel up until now, and suddenly you're after me?"

Lina ground her teeth, trying to peek around the corner again. "If he calls my son a 'leftover' one more time..."

"Careful, Lina. I have a feeling that you'd better stay out of this." Gourry whispered.

"Oh, you think?" she shot back.

Azarel sighed and continued. "Don't you think that sounds a bit arrogant, Xellos? I mean, I'm offering you an opportunity like no other, and you're blowing it off like it's no big deal. I chose you because I thought we were friends."

"You don't have any friends, Azarel. You're not trustworthy enough to have friends. You double-cross everyone who you're lucky enough to get close to."

"Not true!" Azarel suddenly seemed to lose his composure again. "I'm the one who was betrayed in the end! It was me!"

Xellos didn't seem to offer any sympathy. "Well, then... if that is the case, then you now know how it feels to be betrayed. Perhaps this will make you a tad bit more loyal in the future... or maybe that's wishful thinking. Is it true what they say about not being able to teach an old dog new tricks...?"

"THAT'S ENOUGH, XELLOS!" Azarel snapped. "Will you join me or not?"

Xellos didn't flinch. "That all depends. What do you plan to do once you've joined together servants from all the remaining Dark Lords?"

"Simple..." Azarel responded. "...once I have them all together, it will be like having a complete piece of Shabranigdo. It's silly that the Mazoku lords have been competing all this time, when the truth is that they could be so much more powerful if they combined their strength. Together, no one can stop us... not even Pathosmaster. He'll have no choice but to grovel at my feet and beg for mercy... or be blown to pieces by my infinite power! Pathosmaster WILL become my minion, or by resistance he will meet with death!"

There was a slight pause, and Xellos opened his mouth to respond. However, he didn't get the chance before Lina burst out in front of them.

"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! PATHOSMASTER IS ALREADY DEAD! I KILLED HIM!"

It was dark in most of the Temple of the Aqualord, but the library was well-lit, as though someone were doing some late-night reading.

As it turned out, Professor Nisery wasn't reading, but drawing in a sketchbook when Zelgadis found him.

"What are you drawing?"

"Huh?! Oh! Ah! Zelgadis!" Pestis snapped the sketchbook shut and set down the pencil. "Don't startle me like that! I had no idea anyone else was awake at this hour!"

"Sorry, sorry. I was just thinking too hard and can't get my brain to shut down. That's all."

"Oh, I'm sorry. What were you thinking about?"

"That's why I came here to find you. May I talk to you alone?"

Pestis gasped loudly. "B-but Zelgadis! I thought that night last week was just a one-time thing! I'm not sure that I'm ready for a committed relationship!"

"Will you get over yourself and stop joking for long enough that I can get some information?" Zelgadis growled, and then took a deep breath, calming down slightly. "I just... want to know about Azarel... about you and Azarel."

Pestis stiffened, and the joking tone in his voice disappeared. "About Azarel... and me?"

Zelgadis took a seat in a chair beside Pestis. "I just can't place it. What's between you two anyway? First you say you're close, then just friends, then you've had a falling-out? I feel like there's something more to your relationship that you're not telling us- something important to this mission."

Pestis closed his eyes and sighed. "I can trust you... right, Zelgadis? Of course I can; that's silly of me to even ask. But still..."

"You might not be able to trust me... that is to say, if you don't want me telling someone else in the group. If it's important, I'll have to tell them. I can't afford not to. You understand, don't you?"

"Yes, well... I suppose that means I'll have to keep some information private. You can accept that, can't you?"

Zelgadis sighed. "What choice do I have? How about we start at the beginning?"

"A very good place to start~." Pestis chimed. "In the beginning, when The Lord of Nightmares created the four worlds-"

"Not that beginning, wise-guy."

"Ah, yes. Forgive me; I got a little carried away."

"Just keep talking."

Pestis nodded. "Right... honestly, Azarel and I were close right from the very beginning. In fact, we had a very odd sort of bond. We were in love, you see..."

"With each other?!" Zelgadis choked.

"What? No, no, no! Eww, I can't even think about that!" Pestis shook his head back and forth vigorously. "Other people; other people!"

"Thank goodness..." Zelgadis sighed in relief. "I didn't think it was possible, but the idea had crossed my mind once or twice..."

"No, no." Pestis assured him. "You see... it was that... we'd both fallen in love with people who didn't love us back. I guess there's sort of a kinship in that; having someone to commiserate with a broken heart."

"Yes; commiseration sometimes feels better than true companionship." Zelgadis gave a slow nod.

"My problem was, the object of my affections was in love with someone else. While I could have wasted time wishing it were me, that wouldn't change anything. It's not good to dwell on one person for too long. It's not romantic to 'wait' forever for someone, it's stupid. You're stealing happiness from yourself when you do that. As difficult as it may be to let go of an affection like that, you're only cheating yourself by holding onto it." Pestis stated firmly. "At least... that's my belief. I guess that's why it was easier for me to get over my unrequited affections and to move on. But... for Azarel..."

"She couldn't let go, could she?"

"It wasn't just that." Pestis shook his head. "The person Azarel loved... he... he knew it, and took advantage of it. He... used Azarel. Deep down, I'm sure that Azarel knew it and wouldn't admit it. The more he led the poor Mazoku along, the more Azarel was sure that one day his manipulative tendencies would turn into true affection... but they never did."

"You knew better, right?" Zelgadis spoke.

"Of course. People like that never change. That manipulative bastard... went right up to the end tearing up people's hearts... I hate that... more than anything in the world..."

Zelgadis crossed his arms and glanced up at the ceiling. "...Phibrizzo, huh?"

"What?"

"It was Phibrizzo- the one who took advantage of Azarel. It had to be. He was her master, right?"

"Y-yes, he was..." Pestis stammered. "He... he knew that he had Azarel's unfailing loyalty, and he took advantage of that. Poor Azarel... That's why Azarel is so warped now; all that emotional manipulation."

"If you ask me, anyone who could fall in love with Phibrizzo had to already be warped."

Pestis laughed. "People have said that about all the people I've loved. My wife was a real character, y'know. Some people even said that she was crazy, but I don't think so- she was just special."

"Your wife... she's not the same person you were talking about before. The unrequited love? Who was that?"

"Eh, it was someone who's dead now. What can you do?" Pestis shrugged. "What matters most is that I still have my memories. Time may pass and people that you know may disappear as that time passes, but your memory is one thing you can trust to stay with you, even when the people you love are gone. And... when you've lived as long as I have... well, you find that, even after a loss, you can learn to love again." Pestis smiled.

Zelgadis was quiet for a long moment and then cleared his throat. "That's… easier said than done."

The professor put a hand on his friend's shoulder. "But I know it's true. If I had been hung up on my first love forever, well, I'd never have met Maria, and our love would never have existed. And... while I'll never stop loving her, if I hadn't opened my heart again after she died, then I'd never have all the wonderful friends that I have today."

"Well, I can't exactly say that you have the best friendship skills." Zelgadis chuckled. "You scared poor Gourry, y'know that?"

"I scared him? How?"

"I think that… your, uh… flirtatious behaviour brought up some bad memories for him…" Zelgadis scratched his cheek, avoiding eye contact with the professor.

"Bad memories? Has Gourry been plagued by lovestruck fangirls before?" Pestis gasped.

"…not exactly…" Zelgadis kept his gaze averted. "…I don't know since I wasn't there… but if it had been a girl, maybe things would have worked out better…"

"Ah." Pestis was silent for a moment before continuing. "I'll try be more careful around him from now on. No more jokes like that."

"Thank goodness." Zelgadis breathed.

"But I think it's cute, though- the way you stick up for Gourry." Pestis continued. "You're like… an older brother to him."

"I'd… never thought of it that way before. You know that he's older than I am, right?"

"Yeah, well; age doesn't have to matter so much." Pestis sighed. "I just think it's nice how supportive you are of him. You're a really good friend, you know that?"

Zelgadis rested his head in his hands and sighed. "Gourry and I have been friends for a long time. We've been through a lot together. And with everything that's been going on… I guess I just sort of… see myself in his situation… and I can't help getting angry when people are rude to him, because… it feels like they're being rude to me."

"What does that mean?" Pestis questioned.

"Ah… don't worry about it."

There was a moment of silence, and then Pestis gave a sigh. "Okay, spill." he spoke up, moving his chair closer to Zelgadis.

"What?"

"Spill! Tell me what's been going on! I just told you all about the history between myself and Azarel. Now you owe it to me to tell me what you're talking about."

"No way. You hardly told me anything." Zelgadis huffed.

"I told you a lot!"

"No, you didn't."

"A lot for me, anyway! I don't do Mazoku-related backstories, okay?"

"Just like I don't do personal-issue stories."

"Aww, c'mon Zelgadis~! Please! I just want to help!"

Zelgadis glanced off to the side, trying not to make eye contact with his friend. "...actually... you've already helped me a lot tonight."

"Huh?" Pestis blinked. "I have?"

"Yes. Your story was... very helpful, actually. Moreso than I'd like to admit."

"Well..." Pestis murmured. "...I don't know what I said that helped you, but I'm glad that it did." He smiled and picked up his sketchbook and pencil. "I'll tell you what- if you promise me that what I said truly helped you, then I'll let you off the hook. No more stories tonight."

"I'll take that." Zelgadis grinned. "What were you drawing in that book anyway?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all!"

"Let me see."

"No!"

"C'mon, please?"

"I said no!"

"You sure?"

"I'm sure! No means no!"

Lina's outburst might have woken the neighbourhood, had people been living in this particularly run-down part of the city. Gourry scrambled out from behind the building to grab her, but Xellos and Azarel were already staring.

"Miss Lina, I did think you were paying more attention to the conversation than that." Xellos scolded. "If you're going to eavesdrop, do it properly."

"Y-you knew we were here?" Gourry stammered.

"What? You thought you were being inconspicuous back there?" Azarel sniffed. "Phibrizzo was right- you are an idiot."

"Hey!" Lina growled. "We're talking about Pathosmaster here! Forget about Gourry, will you?"

Azarel ran a hand through his hair. "I'd like to forget about Pathosmaster, but unfortunately, memory is the plague of the mind, and there's nothing I can do. He isn't dead- he's living and working on his vile plans as we speak-"

"May I interject?" Xellos cut Azarel off. "I think, by 'Pathosmaster,' miss Lina is specifically referring to Vireas."

"Of course I am." Lina crossed her arms indignantly. "I wasn't aware that anyone else was currently filling that position."

Azarel giggled. "Oh, you're just as ignorant as your son. Didn't you hear me when I said I'm the new Hellmaster? Mazoku can succeed their higher-ups. Imagine what would happen if we didn't- the world would be delved into chaos. I was Phibrizzo's highest-ranking subordinate, so his job would fall to me. Likewise, Vireas' highest-ranking subordinate would take over for him. That's how it works."

"I understand the hierarchy." Lina spat. "What I don't understand is the fact that I was told Vireas had no subordinates aside from microorganisms. Was I told incorrectly, Xellos?"

"Wh-what? I didn't say that! Did I say that? I couldn't have! Maybe it was implied, but…" Xellos defended. "In any case, it really doesn't matter now, does it?"

"Yes it does! If there's a new Pathosmaster who's even half as crazy as the original one, then-"

"Oh, he's just as crazy and then some." Azarel sneered. "He wasted no time snatching up the Knight of the Aqualord right from under my nose, and is after the Key of the Aqualord as we speak."

"Huh?" Lina blinked. "But… we have the Knight of the Aqualord. Lyos is with us."

Azarel blinked. "…you…? You're the ones who grabbed Lyos from me earlier today?"

"Yeah, she's right! It was Zelgadis who found him, and then he came back to the Temple of the Aqualord with us!" Gourry nodded. "We're gonna use his powers to help us find the Key of the Aqualord, so there's nothing left for you to do except follow us around until we find it and can finally fi-"

"GOURRY!" Lina grabbed him in a choke-hold. "You're not supposed to tell your enemy that you're setting a trap for them-" She cut off abruptly. "…oops; did I say that out loud?"

"You did, and I'm rather surprised." Azarel turned his back on the group. "I knew about your good-for-nothing boyfriend, but I didn't think that you were a total ditz, Lina Inverse."

"Good-for-nothing boyfriend?" Gourry repeated in surprise. "Y-you can't call me that to my face!"

"He's absolutely right!" Lina added. "That's my good-for-nothing husband to you!"

"Hey now…"

The group grew quiet as they could hear Xellos' laughter. "You know, everyone, this is actually quite amusing. Yes, I'd say this is better than going to the theatre!"

Azarel turned his head back around and narrowed his eyes. "You seem to be awfully casual about all this, Xellos. If Pathosmaster isn't the one who kidnapped the Knight of the Aqualord, then what is he doing? What is he really after?"

"I don't know." Xellos shrugged. "And, quite frankly, I couldn't care less."

"What?!"

"It has nothing to do with me!" Xellos raised his hands innocently. "Pathosmaster doesn't really seem to be plotting anything."

"You know him! He's always plotting something! And that's why I need you so that I can get rid of him once and for all! Now are you with me?!" Azarel held out his hand to shake, his foot tapping impatiently.

Xellos paused for a long moment, staring at Azarel pensively.

"You're… not going to say yes, are you?" Lina ventured.

He didn't respond, but directed a short glance toward Lina before stepping forward and shaking Azarel's hand.

"Alright, Azarel. I'll work with you on this one."

"What?! But Xellos, she's-"

"That is, I'll work with you… on my terms."

Azarel's smirk suddenly disappeared. "Your terms?" he repeated. "What exactly are your terms?"

"Well, you see, that's one of my terms- that all my other terms are to remain a secret." Xellos wagged a finger teasingly. "So how about it? Is it settled then?"

Azarel ground his teeth, but sighed.

"Yes. It's settled."

He looked back up toward Xellos and opened his mouth as though he were going to say something, but Xellos had already jumped up to leave.

"Well, I've gotta go tell Lord Beastmaster about these new arrangements! Farewell to all you guys for now!"

"Wait, Xellos! You can't leave us here with-" Lina reached out for him, but it was too late. He had already disappeared.

The sorceress stepped backwards toward Gourry, keeping Azarel in her sights the whole time. Azarel stared her down the same way, and their eyes stayed locked for several long moments.

Eventually, Gourry cleared his throat to get Lina's attention. She turned from Azarel to look up at him, and the Mazoku finally spoke.

"…I'll admit, I respect you, Lina Inverse. I hate you, but I respect you. Don't make me lose that respect."

Lina snapped back at him. "Oh? And what makes you think that I want your respect?"

"Lina, Lina, please don't push it. Things are bad enough as it is. Let's just go back to the temple." Gourry pleaded.

"What about my son, Azarel? What have you done to him?"

"Oh, don't worry. I'm taking good care of him." Azarel sneered. "I can't let him come to any harm… yet."

"WHAT?!"

Azarel's expression suddenly became cheery, and his voice shot up an octave, giving one last goodbye before he disappeared onto the astral plane. "Well, it would be nice to stay and chat with you lovelies, but, unfortunately, I must be going! Toodles! I'll give your regards to Zara-chan!"

Lina sighed and ground her teeth in frustration. "Zara-chan? That little-"

"Is it just me, or was Azarel a little different from when we last saw her?" Gourry asked.

"Oh, you think? She was finally showing her true colours- her evil colours! Not to mention she was disguised as a man-"

"No, no, not that." Gourry waved his hands. "There was something different about her mannerisms; the way she talked; just the way she held herself in general. When we met her before, she was… gosh, I don't even know how to put it… overconfident? Like, just the way she walked and talked constantly seemed smug, as though she was so proud of herself for just existing. But… now… she was totally different. She had that same smugness about her, but it seemed very… fake. Almost forced."

Lina glanced around. "…now that you mention it, I did get that feeling. She was different. I'm glad that someone put her in her place, though I can't say I'm particularly glad it was Xellos."

"I guess having Lyos taken from her and then having her plan criticized by Xellos was too much for her. She's figuring out that she's not as cool as she thinks she is, and it's starting to break her."

"That's the key, then." Lina smiled, a good feeling after all that they'd been through. "That's her weakness. That's how we'll fight her."

Gourry smirked. "I guess I'm not so good-for-nothing after all, huh?"

(A/N: I haven't been able to keep up with a steady writing pace lately, due to schoolwork, so I'll probably be updating only once a week from now on. Maybe. Depends on how fast I write. Or how fast I get bored. Or other stuff. I apologize for any inconveniences this might cause. At least now you won't have to deal with my nonsensical author's notes as often. Yikes!)