Chapter 5
Giza Airport, Giza, Ejypt
June 3nd, 2002
They got off the plane carrying their sparse luggage and headed for baggage claim to get the rest.
"So," Filia asked Xellos as they race-walked through the crowd, "what's our next stop?"
"Well, we still have to put up a pretext of being real," he smirked, "so we'll take a cab to a hotel I reserved near the first site. It's actually not too far from the Nile, which, as I recall, is quite beautiful this time of year."
Valgaav spoke right behind them, "It looks like we'll be needing other clothes, too. Something that will keep us cool but not expose our skin to the sun too much."
"You burn?" Xellos joked, "I thought dragons had tough hides!"
Filia smacked him, "Yes, when we're dragons! We're human right now, dope."
The Mazoku grinned, "Thank you, Filia, that felt wonderful." He rubbed the red mark on his cheek lovingly and winked at her.
Rolling her eyes, Filia hurried to get to the baggage claim before them. What's wrong with me? I messed up big time, that's what. I should never have let Xellos kiss me. Or at least, I shouldn't have gotten that affected by it. It's just a simple physical action, she told herself, it doesn't have to stir any reproductive instincts. He liked it - of course he did, he's a guy - but that doesn't mean he really wants me.
For some reason, that thought made her sad. Instead of letting herself become depressed, she made herself angry. Damn Mazoku, caring about me! Getting me to care about him! Flirting with strangers! Damn everything!
Filia stopped at the Baggage Claim for their flight and watched the various bags turning slowly around the conveyer belt. How dare he be so . . . so . . . so sex crazed! We have work to do, and he—!
The blonde dragoness clenched a fist and studied the bags, then grabbed her familiar brown suitcase.
Turning to find Valgaav and Xellos behind her, she spat, "Hurry up, I want to get to that hotel."
—
Valgaav watched, eyes slightly widened, as his mother stalked by and headed for the security checkout. "Wow, she sure shifts emotions quickly."
The Mazoku sighed and shook his head. "Like a certain sorceress I once knew. Get your other bag, Val, before she forgets where she is and transforms!"
With a quick nod, the aqua-haired teen snagged his other bag from the belt and quickly followed his mother.
They reached the security post fairly quickly, but after Filia's backpack went through, the luggage bag set off the alarm.
The Golden Dragoness herself was gazing at the security guard with large, azure, worried eyes.
"Bill," the handsome and muscular guard called to another, "come look at this."
The two men peered at the display, then 'Bill' nodded. "I think so."
"Ma'am," the tall beefy guard began, "it seems you have a questionable item in this bag."
"Oh no!" she gasped, "really?"
"Yes, I'm afraid we'll have to search it," he said sternly.
"But," Filia flashed her lashes at him, "sir, all of my . . . unmentionables are in that bag!" she whispered into his ear.
The man blushed and scratched the back of his head. "Oh, but, you see, there's a large item that appears to be a weapon, ma'am."
A few paces away, Valgaav sighed and shook his head as his mother giggled. Giggled.
"Oh, you see," she said, "it's a family heirloom of mine."
The beefcake adjusted his uniform and looked down at her, eyes narrowing. "But, ma'am, it looks like a club."
"Actually," the long-haired blonde beamed at him and stood up straighter, "it's a mace, sir! My ancient ancestor defended his home with that!"
Val whistled softly, then turned his head when he heard a grinding sound.
Though he seemed composed, Xellos' jaw was tight and one violet cat-eye was twitching. The hand that grasped the rail seemed awfully clenched, too.
Taking a deep breath, Valgaav muttered, "Calm down, Xel."
"Easy for you to say," the monster muttered back, eyes like daggers at the ignorant guard.
"Ma'am," the guard blushed again, "I really must open it, I'm sorry."
"Oh!" Filia's cutely saddened look made Val sick. "Really? Alright, if you must."
The guard smiled a twinkling smile and brought the suitcase to the side, while the other guard, Bill, looked up at Val. "Well, sir, let's continue."
Valgaav nodded and put his bags on the conveyor, but watched his mother from the corner of his eye.
Filia was blushing prettily and sticking her chest out while the guard opened the bag and took out the large mace. "Oh, sir!" she said, "Please don't take my dear mace away! I never use it . . . why, I wouldn't even be able to lift it, let alone know how!"
Val turned at the low growl behind him, and jolted in place. Xellos had the most evil, ticked off look that Val had ever seen, unless he counted the most recently creamed monster Xellos had broken into bits.
"Grr," Xellos shoved his black suitcase onto the conveyor belt and ignored the guard, hands grasping the rails to either side. "I can't believe how she's acting!"
With a tiny smirk, Valgaav turned back to his mother and shook his turquoise head. "Don't bend the metal, Xellos." Touché, Mom. If you wanted to get even, this is pretty good.
He found Filia batting her big "dumb blonde" eyes at the hunk.
The moronic guard, hand on his neck shyly, said lightly, "Well, I, I guess it's not really that dangerous."
She actually took his arm and squeezed it, "Oh, thank you! I don't know what I'd do without it. It has so many memories! You're such a kind man!"
The guard chuckled and said, love-struck, "Well, um, I try! Have a nice day, Miss! Enjoy your stay in Giza!"
Grabbing his cleared bag the amethyst-haired demon huffed, "'Miss', huh. She's about a thousand years older than him, I wonder if he knows that." He strode to the nearest wall and dropped his suitcase, then crossed his arms and leaned against the brick.
Valgaav snickered and followed him. "No feelings for her, huh?"
"Shaadup."
"Okay!" he chuckled, "okay."
—
Filia turned, beaming, to find the two men in her life standing up against a nearby wall. That was fun! she chuckled to herself. That guy was such a sucker. Wish I hadn't forgotten to get Xellos to teleport it into hyperspace first, though.
As she approached, Filia could see Xellos leaning against the wall with a serious expression on his face, and green-haired Val trying not to laugh. "So, guys, how about we get going?" she asked, a bag in each hand.
Xellos narrowed his eyes and picked up his suitcase. "Fine!" he snapped, then brushed past her.
"What? What did I do?" she mused, watching the demon stalk away.
Her son snickered, "What do you think, Mom? Brava, by the way. Great performance."
"Thank you!" she laughed with him. "Though I wish it hadn't been necessary," she blushed, remembering. "Yuck, I really can play the bimbo when I have to."
Val nodded, then began following the Mazoku. "We're losing Xellos," he explained as she went with him. "You're no bimbo, Mom," he continued the conversation. "You're just a great actor."
"Actress."
"Whatever!" he smirked.
—
Xellos ignored the masses around him and did his best to completely lose the other two. With every step he pounded out his frustrations, eyes narrowed and glaring death.
Stupid Ryuzoku woman! Why'd she go storming off when she should have KNOWN her mace was still in the bag. She knew I would have gladly moved it to the roof and back like I did yesterday.
And why'd Val have to go remind her of that whole stewardess thing? Just when I thought things were getting easier . . .
He turned and scanned the throng of people, but couldn't find them. Good, give them something to worry about, he thought with smug satisfaction. Now where's a damn payphone?
"He's gone!" Filia cried, then narrowed her eyes. "How dare he disappear on us!"
"I don't feel him," Valgaav began, but was interrupted by the sounds of a child crying.
Filia was on the case, running through the crowd until she came upon the little girl sitting in a corner. "Oh, little girl, are you okay?"
Through tears, the dark-haired child sobbed, "I want my mommy. I can't find her!"
Val sighed and shook his head, then began fighting his way to them. Here she goes again, the Golden Dragon of Goodness. He supposed he shouldn't be upset with her for it - she did everything out of the love in her heart - but sometimes it was pretty annoying.
"Thank you," Xellos finished politely, "We'll be waiting at gate four."
He hung up the phone, then searched again with his senses. Nope, no dragons around, he smiled, then headed for a nearby airport coffee shop.
Sitting down with a sigh, he shook his head slowly. "I should want some time alone, anyway," he told himself, and relaxed, letting the anger, pain and fear around him flow into his body.
Yes, this is much better, he told himself, and leaned back. Wonderful.
"Oh, thank you!" the raven-haired woman cried, holding her daughter tightly. "How can I thank you for helping my baby?"
They stood outside a security podium, Filia beaming beauteously and Val rolling his eyes. The girl's mother had arrived swiftly as soon as the announcement was made, and now they were just waiting for the gushing to finish.
"Oh, please," Filia smiled, "everyone's happiness is thanks enough, I was just so glad to help!"
"Thank you, thank you!" the woman continued to say, "I don't know what I'd do if—"
Val sighed and stepped up to grab his mom's hand. "Mom, we have to get going."
"Oh, yes." Filia looked distracted, then said, "Ma'am, it was wonderful meeting you, but I'm afraid we're going to be late!"
Dragging her off, Valgaav shut out the lady's well-wishes and concentrated on sensing evil. Unfortunately, evil is just as unlikely to be around when you want it, as it is likely to go away when you'd rather it leave.
"Dammit. I can't find him at all," he said.
"Well," the dragoness began, high voice worried, "if you can't sense him with your Ancient Dragon powers, there's no way I could."
"He can't shield himself," Val grumbled, "at least, I don't think he can. He must have just gotten really far ahead of us."
Filia stopped short, causing Valgaav to stumble when she pulled him back. "Then what will we do?" she cried. "Maybe we should just wait for him to come back."
At first, Val began to roll his golden eyes, but he stopped and considered. "You know," he scratched his head, "You might be right. He can find us easily if he wants to, and we'll never find him if he doesn't want it to happen."
Sighing, his blonde mother clung to her bags and sat down in a near chair. "Wonderful. That lousy Mazoku disappears when we really need him! I thought he'd lost that bad habit!"
Valgaav chuckled and sat with her. "You mean, he used to do this a lot?"
"Oh, every day at LEAST twice!" she grumbled piercingly, then threw her bags to the ground. "I guess we'll wait, but I don't have to like it."
After a half an hour, Xellos decided he'd been mean enough to Valgaav and his mother by his subterfuge. Rousing himself, he sat up, straightening his suit.
Oh well, he growled low in his throat, let's do this.
The plum-locked Mazoku released more of his power and sent it hurdling out, discovering and distinguishing every life-form. Eyes closed, he waited . . . There.
Shrugging, he took his luggage and rose, then found himself a public restroom and a stall.
Flashing out and back into a similar empty stall, Xellos now held his bag and his staff. He straightened his orchid hair and continued out.
"Perfect," the monster said aloud, gazing into the mass of people. There, backs turned to him, sat mother and son. "Time to make another surprise entrance," he chuckled haughtily, and dropped the shield.
—
Filia napped on her son's shoulder, who tried to look cool while having his mother leaning on him.
The arguable silence of the airport was disturbed by an obnoxious voice.
"Didja' miss me?"
"Wha?" Filia's head tossed, and she blinked as she straightened. "Who? Xellos!"
Xellos grinned down at her and stepped around to stand before them. "I take it that's a no," his brows rose.
"Definitely a no," Val grumbled.
"Where have you been?" the piercing voice shattered Val's eardrums. Jumping up with sudden vigor, Gee, she sure gets energized whenever Xellos is around, THAT could be twisted in many ways, Filia turned on the Mazoku and cried, "We looked for you all over, were you just planning on leaving us here?"
"Filia—" Xellos dropped his suitcase and put his hands up.
"How dare you run off!"
"FILIA!"
"Why, you worthless scum, you were just going to leave and—"
A strong, high-pitched voice interrupted them both by saying, "Excuse me, it looks like you're having some problems. Your harmony is seriously off balance."
Ryuzoku and Mazoku turned to glare at a young man in a cheap suit. "WHAT?"
"Uh," he smiled hesitantly, dark eyes hopeful, "with Jesus in your lives, every problem becomes easier. Here's a pamphlet," he smiled at the stunned blonde, who let him shove it into her hand. Xellos just leaned back and started grinning when the boy offered, "And for you, sir. And we also accept any donations to further our message to reach all ears with the joy of—"
"Donations, huh." Xellos got that naughty look on his face that Val loved, and the dragon boy chuckled.
Filia blinked at her well-dressed companion, then opened her mouth. "You, you wouldn't!"
Xellos pulled the young zealot away from her. "You're a Jehovah's witness, aren't you, boy?"
"Uh," he nodded, "yessir."
He smiled sadistically. "I'll give you ten million dollars," he grinned wider as the boy gulped, "if you eat this."
In his hand, he held a wrapped up sandwich.
The boy took it and unwrapped it, then blinked worriedly. "Uh, can I pick off the—"
"No." Xellos smiled. "That's the best part!"
With a whimper, the young zealot stared at the BLT sandwich. "But, but I can't possibly . . ."
Xellos pulled out his wallet and took a variety of large bills, then waved them in front of his face. "No bacon, no money!"
"But . . ." the youth stammered, "but why should I have to . . ."
"That," Xellos waved a finger knowingly, "is a secret!"
THUNK.
"OW!"
Val burst out laughing as Filia swung at Xellos again with the mace, crying, "How dare you ask that of him, you filthy Mazoku! I've had enough!"
"But darling," Xellos ducked again as she swung.
"Don't 'darling' me!" she tried once more, and the crowd gasped collectively as he jumped just out of range. "Come back here!"
"Not likely!" Xellos chuckled and ran off, dragoness on his heels.
"Get BACK HERE!"
In the sudden silence they left, broken occasionally by distant screams and calls, Val stood. He ran a hand through his sea-green hair and surveyed the damage.
Most people were glancing at each other, startled and not certain the carnage was over. The poor zealot boy had slumped to the ground, still staring at the sandwich.
"Hey," Val asked him, "you okay?"
The youth's eyes glazed. "I . . . I'm sure I could get permission. Ten . . . ten million . . . dollars?"
Val rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. "They'll destroy the world before they can save it."
