Slayers 1/2 Part 2

While Silk and Ulysses were gone, Lina and Alex had managed to bag a dear for dinner. Happi and Brush started a fire and the group was cooking a meal at the point when Silk returned with her Golem friend.

The Nerima group was introduced to Zelgadis and settled down for dinner.

Brush went over to sit next to Alex. "I'll take mine well done, please." Then she reached into her pouch and pulled out some fruit to go with the meat. "Well, anyone else got any food they want to add to the pile?"

Naga got up and decided to take a spot next to Alex as well. "Well, I really don't carry around food on me." She looked over at the tent Alex had set up, and was a bit surprised at the material and the poles. "Where can I get one of these? And why do you have such a big tent for just yourself?" She smiled at Alex. "Maybe you wouldn't mind sharing?"

Happi-Chan scowled as Naga moved closer to Alex. "That Damn Big Breasted Bimbo is trying to get My Alex" Happi thought to herself. "These female emotions are overwhelming"

Happi was Starting to move into position to get in Naga's way, when she felt something overwhelming. Every magic user in the group could feel it. A Huge storm comprised of magic was heading their way.

"Uhh Guys!"

Back at his fortress Zasz had just put his 'slave' back into suspension. The direct route wasn't going to work, he had to get Lina to cast the Giga Slave and open the portal, but he had to get the rest of the group away from her.

Zasz smiled, having the powers of the dark carnival at his beck and call made him much more powerful than normal. This spell ought to make life interesting for them.

After much arcane chanting Zasz sent a storm of destruction toward the party.

"It's Good to be the Shadow Master!"

Back at the camp, the rain started to come down even harder as everyone finished eating. Alex said, "I suggest everyone get their camping stuff set up. It looks like it's going to a bad night." Looking over at the females and the leers he was getting, he added, "You ladies can use my tent. I'll sleep somewhere else."

Silk looked warily at the increasing storm and at her pack which contained her small tent. "I think that we'd better find someplace more solid to sleep than a tent." she said, slinging her pack over one shoulder. Zelgadis had also been watching the storm as they ate and nodded at Silk's comment. "I found a cave not far from here. Come on." The stone man and the healer started off without another word exchanged, letting the other's follow or not of their own choice.

Alex shrugged. "If you guys follow, grab that tent before you leave." Alex got up and left to catch up to Silk and the golem guy. As they neared the cave, a mountain lion came out and roared at the group. Alex waved the others back, as he saw Zelgadis was considering attacking. "Calm down. We can negotiate with her." He looked at the lioness. Do you mind if we stay here? This storm looks really bad, and we don't wish to be caught in it. The lion blinked, then replied with a series of growls and meows. Alex nodded. "Ok, I bring you a deer, and you'll show us a bigger cave?" The lioness nodded, then walked up to Alex, rubbing against his leg like an overgrown housecat before hopping up to a higher ledge next to a larger cave entrance hidden behind some brush. Alex looked the place over, then rubbed the big cat's head. "Ok, I'll go get that deer for you. Could you ask the other animals not to try to use that cave tonight? I don't want any trouble." The mountain lion nodded again, then went back into her own cave. Alex walked off towards the woods. "Be right back, guys. I gotta go keep our end of the deal." With that, Alex vanished into the brush.

Just as Alex left the rain began to really start falling. Happi-Chan was reeling, something was really wrong with her. "My senses are on fire,' She murmured "The boost t my power coming over here has made me hypersensitive to magic. That storm is all magic."

Brush looked towards where Alex, Silk and Zel had gone. She began to feel the magic in the storm, as well as Naga. Brush began to quickly pack up the tent Alex had left for them. I don't think being out in this storm is a good idea. I'm going to the cave, and you should too." She said to everyone present as she got up and left.

Naga rose as well. "She's right. This storm is totally unnatural. I'm going to go with them." Naga was inwardly thinking, --Oh no you don't girl. That prime example of manhood is going to be mine before the night is out.-- "Hey, Brush, is it? Wait up!"

Up at the cave, Silk was sweeping out the accumulated debris and laying down blankets to make places to sleep while Zelgadis built a small, well protected fire and set magical wards.

"Shall we keep watches?" Silk asked the Chimera.

"Not much point. With these wards anything powerful enough to get past them without being detected wouldn't be seen or heard by eyes and ears anyway." Zelgadis answered.

"Still," Silk went on, "I'd like it better if there was a clean line of sight down to that game trail."

Nodding, Zelgadis joined the Amazon healer in subtly pushing aside and lifting branches and leaves, clearing a field of view that allowed one to see the lower path and the stream without being very conspicuous about it. By the time Brush and Naga appeared at the cave mouth they had finished and were laying down to rest. There was plenty of room for the others to sleep if they chose to do so, and the wards had been keyed to them.

A moment later, Silk saw Alex coming down the trail, carrying a dead deer over his shoulder. He dropped it off in front of the mountain lion's cave and came in. "Hi guys. I don't know about you, but it's been a long day. I think I'll turn in." Alex put down his pack and unrolled his sleeping bag next to Silk's, then took off his shirt and armor to make a makeshift pillow for himself. "'Night, all." He then laid down with his head slightly propped up against the wall and went to sleep.

Brush and Naga entered side by side, chatting about the merits of various attack spells. Brush set her sleeping bag down by the fire and went to sleep.

Naga grinned inwardly. Now was her chance! Seeing that Silk was the only female near Alex at the moment, and that she didn't seem interested, she went over to Silk and whispered to her. "Mind if I sleep here next to the hunk..er, Alex? I think I want to keep him. Just look at the body on him! He's a dream!"

While Naga was talking to Silk. Happi-Chan crawled unnoticed into Alex's sleeping bag. She cuddled close and tried her best to sleep with her nerves going nuts from the storm.

Lina however was staring into the fire, remembering all the good times she'd had with Gourry. She hoped that he would be alright until they could rescue him.

She feel asleep with her thoughts on Gourry.

***** In His fortress Shadowmaster Zasz smiled. His target was asleep, all he had to do was wait for the others to pass out, then he would have Lina Inverse.

Something was bothering him. That small redhead that was throwing the bombs earlier, something was familiar about her and her technique.

*****

Silk looked at Naga like she was clearly insane. "No, I'm not moving. I cleared this spot to sleep in. there's plenty of room over there." She pointed towards the mouth of the cave, "And I thought I told you to keep your damn hormones under control." the last was clearly not meant only for Naga, as Silk grabbed Happi-Chan by the hair and dragged her out of Alex's sleeping bag. "Happosai, get a grip. This is NOT your natural state, and if you're anything other than a straight, albeit extremely perverted, old lecher, you hide it REALLY well. If you can't control your hormones I CAN help you, but if you keep doing this you're just going to piss me off."

Alex slept on, not hearing a word of what went on. He rolled over onto his stomach and grabbed Silk in his sleep, using her stomach as a pillow. But Silk saw Alex was going to have a slightly bigger problem when he woke up. His back seemed to be sprouting...feathered wings?!? "Mmm...comfy."

Happi just sat back against the cave wall and seemed to pout for a second. "I'm sorry Silk." She apologized. "The change has never caused me mind to change before, I'm having a real hard time resisting this body's urge's."

Amelia was already sound asleep, her sleeping bag close to Rinse. She was muttering something about 'Cute cat-Boys'.

Lina however wasn't sleeping peacefully at all. She kept tossing and turning in her sleep, ever so often muttering, "Gourry."

*****

In his fortress Shadowmaster Zasz was pacing impatiently. "Sleep Damn you all, Sleep! I hate waiting!"

*****

Silk flushed a deep red when Alex laid his head on her stomach and snuggled close, but didn't push him away. She instead silently ran her hands over the wings he seemed to be growing in his sleep. The feathers were golden colored and stiff like an eagles pinions. She decided not to worry about it at the moment, tomorrow would be time enough. She did however, give Naga a look they spoke death and destruction if the sorceress made any outcry or protest. Not that something so oblique as a glare was going to deter Naga, queen of 'tact'.

Naga glared at Silk, as she began to draw mana for an Freeze spell in her hand. "And why, little girl should I listen to you? That heavenly example of manhood should be with me." Naga was broadcasting hostility rather strongly.

"Because, if you don't get quiet and go to sleep, I'll send you there myself." Alex muttered in a sleepy voice, his face still in Silk's stomach. Naga looked up to see Alex's hand pointed towards her, with a strong blast on the end, which was getting stronger. "Go to bed, save it for in the morning. We need to rest. GO to sleep, save it for later. And don't be so loud."

Naga nodded, being just a bit intimidated by the energy Alex was holding in a semi-asleep state. She got herself a spot a few feet from Alex and laid down to sleep. --Before this is over, he's going to be mine!-- Naga glared at Silk once more before nodding off.

Alex, in the meantime, just dropped his hand, and pulled Silk closer. --Good night, Silk-Chan.-- He then dropped back off.

Trying her best to control herself Happi-Chan knew she was in a losing battle. It was time to turn to someone who might help. Staying to the shadows she came up behind Silk and whispered.

"I can't control it anymore, Silk sweetie.. do you know a pressure point that turns off emotions or lessens the effect?"

Silk opened one groggy eye and looked at Happi-Chan, who had several visible lumps from slamming her head against the wall, fighting for control. "Yes, come a little closer." The Redhead steeped closer and Silk pressed three otherwise indistinct points on her body then rolled over and went back to sleep, shifting so that having Alex's head on her stomach wasn't quite as awkward. "Hope that helps, Happi."

"Thank you Silk" Happi-Chan replied, finally able to get some sleep.

******

Shadowmaster Zasz was still watching events unfold in the cave. He had decided to Take Lina and the little redhead, something just wasn't right about her.

"As soon as that Big Breasted Floozy goes to sleep, they will be mine."

Naga thought briefly about removing Silk from the picture, but considering anything she could think of would hit Alex too, she decided against it. Instead, she got as close to Alex as she could, and went to sleep.

Brush, on the other hand, felt something...odd. So she wove a quick summon spell, and an invisible will-o-the wisp appeared, to serve as an early intruder detection device. She then went back to sleep.

******

Shadowmaster Zasz watched it all on his scrying device. He laughed to himself. "A Will-o-The Wisp? They insult me." With a wave of his hand and a bit of 'Dark Carnival' power he banished the pesky little spirit.

"Now down to some real work!" Zasz phased out at his fortress and Phased back in at the cave. He looked down at the sleeping form of Lina Inverse and grinned evilly. Soon his job would be complete. He glanced over at happi-chan and realized that the small woman wasn't asleep. Now that he got a good close look at her he fell back stunned.

If he had a twin sister she would be it. Zasz dropped his cloak back to reveal a very evil looking 20 year old Happosai. " I guess I should take you with me. "

Before Happi-Chan could respond Zasz immobilized her with a spell. tossing her ontop of Lina he began his hasty teleport spell.

Alex was now annoyed at the spellcasting going on, constantly waking him up. "I thought I said be quiet!" Alex let loose a fairly strong ki-blast at some darkly dress guy that looked a bit like Happosai, who was standing over Lina and Happi-Chan?!?!? Alex shot to his feet between the girls and the stranger, and brought his defenses online. "Guys, we got company!!!"

Silk looked up and noticed the dark shape, "What the?" she gasped, then hit the dirt, pulling Alex down as Zelgadis, who had woken up when the spellcasting had finally tripped his shields, cast a Elmekia Lance at the dark shape.

"Get away from her!" the Chimera yelled as he charged the dark shape, another blast of power charging in one hand and his sword in the other. But the dark shape was almost instantly gone, and with him Lina Inverse and Happosai-Chan.

Zelgadis's gathered magical strike fizzled out, and he slammed his sword back into the scabbard. He turned to look at the others, who were by now all at least half awake. "Thanks to you, my wards were overtaxed when he entered them, so didn't know he was here until he was almost gone. Thanks to you, I have to rescue both Gourry and Lina and that other girl. No thanks to you." he turned away from the group and glowered at the empty night. "Tomorrow I'm going on. ALONE. You are no help, any of you."

"Wrong. WE are going after them as a group. We don't abandon our own." Alex stated. "Besides, do you know where that guy took them? I got a good smell of the guy and his magic. I can track him for sure." Seeing the odd looks he was getting, Alex added, "Remember that my other form and my normal one merged? I got the enhanced senses and detect magic abilities of my other form." Then Alex noticed the new...additions to his body. "Just great. How am I supposed to wear armor with these?"

Amelia ran forward with tears in her eyes. "Miss Lina.. Miss Happi.. We have to rescue them! We have to work together!"

*******

Zasz and his captives rematerialized in his fortress. He immobilized Lina by freezing her arms and legs in place with crystal. He then turned to Happi Chan who was shaking with pain. the magic of this fortress was driving her hyper sensitive nerves crazy.

"You'll never get away with this Zasz! " happi-chan shouted. " This group will win and you'll be stripped of your power and privilege, and be forced to be a pervert for the rest of your life!"

"How do you so much about the future, woman!?"

"I see the future quite clearly" She responded. "Or should I say my past!"

********

Zelgadis sweatdropped, waiting for Amelia to launch into one of her dreaded justice speeches. "I'm not interested in working together with a bunch of idiots." he muttered.

Silk glowered slightly at the Chimera, "Thanks, I love being called an idiot by someone I thought respected me."

Zelgadis flushed slightly. "I didn't mean you." he said pointedly. "I meant your birdy boyfriend and those other girls you brought with you. You're different, somehow."

"Oh." Silk said, "I guess so. So, I'm asking, will you please work with us? we need someone who knows this world that's more reliable than Amelia or Naga."

Zelgadis kicked the wall in frustration. "Fine, I'll help you. You're a bunch of freaks that would probably get lynched in the first village you came to, otherwise."

Silk smiled, "Thank you, Zelgadis."

"But the first moment you start doing stupid things, I'm leaving!" he threatened, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity. "Sure." she said in a reassuring voice. "Sure."

Alex punched the wall in annoyance and muttered to himself, "Shoulda taken him out when I had the chance." Alex considered responding to the birdy and freak cracks, but thought better of it. 'Nah, he seems to be the sensible of the locals we've met. Best to keep him around for now, and worry about the smart remarks later.' Alex just said, "I wasn't expecting to get attacked tonight. He didn't even set off any of my alarms. I suggest we get some rest, unless you have a better idea, Zelgadis. After all, this is your home court."

Zelgadis looked at where Alex stood next to Silk and frowned slightly. "Listen, Alex, is it? I set wards on this cave before I went to sleep, and it was the spellcasting and other nonsense over YOU that disrupted them so many times, that I was in the process of resetting them when he slipped past them. And as I told her," he nodded at Silk, "anything powerful enough to slip past my wards is powerful enough to slip by simple traps, a guard or whatever alarms you may have. So, don't give me any excuses about your alarms being faulty: what warning system I did try to put up kept getting disrupted. So, I'll cast the wards one last time and we'll all get some sleep, provided they don't decide to have another fight over you." he didn't wait for an answer, but turned and went back to where he'd been sleeping, settling into a deep trance to work his unseen magic, oblivious and uncaring as to what they might have to say for the moment.

Silk looked from Alex to Zelgadis and back again. She could tell the Chimera was upset, and that he'd decided that Alex was the cause of their current problem, and was unlikely to relent willingly. --wonderful-- she thought as she pulled her sleeping bag out towards the front of the cave, where she could look out into the now clear starry night. --just what we need, every person in the group either fighting the others or so distracted that they're minds are gone. Just wonderful.--

Amelia wasn't too sure what was going on, why was everyone fighting? Lina Gourry and Happi were in trouble. Only the Champions of justice, IE: Us can save them. She hoped and prayed that everyone would get along with each other by morning. Yawning cutely she crawled back into her sleeping bag.

Alex got up, and left the cave, pasing Silk and Zelgadis, since the storm had stopped. "He's right, at least in part. I'm going to sleep outside, and remove the source of distraction. Me." The two saw Alex climb on an outcropping of rock above the cave, and curl up like a sleeping feline. What surprised them was the fact that Alex started to glow with a white aura, which expanded into a barrier around him as he slept. Zelgadis recognized the barrier as fairly high-level holy magic, but it seemed to be uncontrolled.

Finally Ulysses returned with the party. Some of them looked at him very confused... How could Ulysses survive the storm that stroke them moments ago? What happened during that time he was away? Probably, it'll remain as a secret.

He realized that the place was in a complete mess, "Guys, what happened here?". Everyone looked worried and disappointed.

Amelia just stared at Ulysses. How the young man survived the torm she wouldn't know. "This really evil bad guy" She started " he came in and kidnapped Miss Lina and Miss Happi, this group of justice makers must go out and rescue them.

"So, that's the situation. Oh, well... Looks like I'll be late for dinner then." He raised his hand and a bird posed on his index finger. "Before we continue there is something you must know about me."

The bird began to sing a beautiful melody and more birds posed on Ulysses, "We fight not only for ourselves but for all living things. I'm tired of hiding my secrets and I believe in you."

Amelia seemed a little confused. "Are you talking about me or the group Mr. Ulysses?"

Ulysses closed his eyes and smisled, "Somehow, our abilties and powers are more effective in this World and sometimes they have strange effects." A green aura began to cover his body and, at the same time, enlighted the place.

"This... is my gift... my blessing... my hope. It's called Soul Power," the aura was increasing incredibly but he mysteriously stopped. "I think that's enough. There is no need to use it anymore." Then his eyes opened again. "Before we continue I'd like to know how is that Happi and Lina were kidnapped."

Needless to say Amelia was impressed she had never heard of power like that before. "Wow!" she exclaimed. Then she proceeded to tell Ulysses all that transpired in the cave and how Lina and Happi were kidnapped.

*******

Back at Zasz'z fortress

Zasz still had Lina's limbs trapped in crystal. her head was free however and she could still talk.

"Happi! Are you telling me that this evil man is you from the past?!"

Happi-Chan would have smiled at that point of the magic of this place wasn't causing her so much pain. "Precisely" she responded. " This is me 280 years ago and infused with the power of the Dark carnival within him. I also know that his plan will fail."

Zasz had lost his temper at that point. "SILENCE, WOMAN!! You fill my head with lies, you shall be the first to die at the hands of the Dark Carnival!"

he took a moment to physically calm himself. " All I need is for you, Lina Inverse to cast the Giga slave and open the portal to the Dark carnival.

" I will never do that, Zasz!" Lina practically screamed.

"Oh you will, Lina, otherwise I destroy Gourry."

************

Silk listened to Amelia's version of what had just transpired with a thoughtful look. She didn't miss any of the facts, at least. The healer, however, was concerned that, even with the greatly increased individual powers of the ensemble, they would be at horrible risk if they were unable to work together. With Brush and Naga and herself bickering over Alex, who with a griffonic persona and body, was sure to unsettle any locals they encountered, Amelia and Rinse's obvious fascination with each other to the exclusion of noticing vital facts until afterwards, Ullysse's tendency to wander off by himself and philosophize at odd moments, and Zelgadis' general disdain for the others, the group looked to be headed for disaster. Plus the Nermians needed to learn how to control their newfound powers. She KNEW that Alex wasn't able to use magic back in Tokyo, yet he glowed with it here. She'd have to ask Zelgadis, Amelia, and Naga to help them train while they traveled... Which led her mind back to ShadowMaster Zasz. she couldn't shake the feeling that Happosai had known more than s/he'd told, and she regretted not pushing the topic. --Too late now. We'll just have to eke our way through. Starting tomorrow-- She listened as the others finally shut up and went to bed, watching the stars until slumber took her as well.

The next morning, the group awoke to the smell of cooking meat. Alex was by the fire, with some ducks and a deer roasting and a pile of foraged fruit. "I felt an odd urge to hunt, so I did. I got breakfast for everyone. Eat up, cause I got a feeling it's going to be a long day."

Amelia was her normal cheerful goodie two shoes self by morning time.She took some food, thanked Alex and sat beside Rinse.

"We were almost to zasz's fortress when you guys arrived. We should be there by the afternoon if we set a good pace."

Brush was just eating and listening, wondering why Alex currently had a pair of gold-feathered wings, and about how he got magic. "Umm, Alex, Zelgadis, Silk? Could someone tell me why Alex looks like an angel, and why I see a LOT of holy power around him?" Seeing that Alex was clueless about the magic, she turned to Zelgadis. "You know what's going on?" Naga just was stuffing her face, thinking --Damn! And he can cook too! What else could a girl want in a guy?--

Silk munched on some blueberries and granola from her pack, nodded at Zelgadis, "We talked about this earlier this morning." The chimera, sitting with his back to Brush and Naga, didn't turn around to answer the question. "I would say that these 'curses' she told me about have gone from being water activated to a pure merging of the human and animal stock into one being. I don't have a deep enough understanding of how magic works in your world to rightly compare, nor say how your transfer to this world accomplished this, but both Alex and Rinse will, we think, gradually show more and more characteristics of their 'cursed forms'. And as for the White Magic, at least in this universe, Griffons are associated with holy magics." The stone man washed down the last of his breakfast with some water from a waterskin and stood. "We're not more than a day from our destination, but I think we should go slowly. You newcomers need to learn how to control your powers, which are different here than what you're used to."

Silk had finished her meal by then and spoke up, "We thought that Naga could help Brush, since you seem to be getting along so well now, Amelia could teach Alex white magic and maybe work with Ullysses, and Zel could show me some shamanism while we travel."

Amelia beamed with happiness, No one ever asked her to teach before. "Alright!!" She ginned happily "I'll be more than happy to teach a bit. I guess I'll start with some healing spells and Maybe the Elmikia Lance."

******

Back at the fortress Zasz was completing the Magical wards around a a sealed stone door. The Mind-Controlled Gourry was holding the items zasz was using to make the wards. Lina's limbs were still enclosed in crystal and she was hurling insults at zasz while trying to talk some sense into Gourry.

Happi-Chan for her part was curled up in the corner sweating terribly. The Magic in this place making her wish she was dead. She Glanced up at Zasz.

"Hey Idiot You wanna destroy us all!" She mocked, "You screwed up the ward on the north side of the circle."

Zasz glanced at that area and noticed that he had indeed made a fatal error and went to correct it. "Soon, very Soon the wards will be finished and the Dark Carnival will be released!"

*******

Alex nodded as he finished his food. He grabbed his armor and shirt, and made a few cuts to accomadate his new wings, then pulled them on. "Sounds like a plan to me, Amelia. Where do we start? And what's an Elmikia Lance?"

"Well" Amelia started with a flourish " the lance is an attack spell that can cause considerable damage...." She continued into a long and colorful narrative about the History of the spell, but ended with a demonstration of power. "See that's all there is to it!"

Rinse smiled like a goof as he watched Amelia explain the ins and outs of white magic. "Amelia very powerful..." he sighed with a love struck look on his face.

Amelia stopped in mid lesson and blushed from ear to ear at Rinse's comment. He was just too cute for his own good. She grinned back at Rinse. "Thank you Rinse-Chan, but I'm not al that powerful I still have alot to learn. One day, perhaps I will be as good as Miss Lina or Mr Zelgadis."

Alex rolled up his sleeves, and prepared to cast the spell, aiming at the ground a few feet in front of him. "Elmikia Lance!" He successfully cast the spell, but wasn't quite expecting his own beam to be a meter-wide shot, or for it to have so much recoil. He got launched into the air and blinked a few times. "Man, this is harder than it looks." He braced himself and cast the spell again, this time without getting knocked around. "Alright, I got it! Well, what's next?"

"Alright , Next lesson" Amelia continued on cheerfuly. As the group walked onward she began to give lessons in healing and protection spells, continuing on until Zasz's fortress was in sight.

The fortress appeared to be a great cobalt tower, thrusting upward into the sky. Waves of magic seemed to roll from the structure. It seemed to be pure evil.

Amelia was stunned for a second, in awe of the structure. "This place is really spooky."

Brush nodded in agreement. She had learned several Ice and summon spells, as well as Raywing. "Well, is this the place?" Zelgadis and Alex, as well as her own senses, confirmed it. "Well, how do you guys want to do this?"

*****

Meanwhile

Inside the very fortress that the group of heroes were wondering about new events were afoot. Gourry was carrying the still imobilized Lina into the center of the protection circle. She was screaming and pleading with Gourry the entire way, But she couldn't penetrate the magical defenses Zasz placed on his mind.

Once Lina was firmly in the center of the circle, Zasz released her imobilized limbs. The magic of the circle keeping her in the center. Gourry stepped back to stand behind his Dark Master.

"Go ahead, Lina." Zasz spoke softly. "Cast the Giga Slave and destroy the seal. If you delay, I will destroy Gourry and wrap your corpse in his bloody visera!"

Lina was stuck in indecesion. There was nothing she could do. Any way it went she and Gourry would probably die.

Happi-Chan still had her arms wrapped painfully around her torso. She smiled in sudden inspiration. "Zasz! Your missing one vital key to your spell. You have no Virgin to sacrifice!"

Zasz grinned evilly, using his magic to levitate Happi-Chan to the table he had set up near the Magic circle. "You may have been male once, my dear! But in this form you ARE a virgin. You'll do nicely!"

Happi realized that she was soon to die. She could do nothing to resist Zasz's Magic.

She did the only thing she could. She screamed as loud as she could. Her fearful scream could even be heard outside the fortress.

***********

"Something smells...odd about the magic here. Smells kinda like some sort of blood magic. But you usually need a sacrifice for those sorts of spells, and if he wanted Lina to cast a spell..." Alex then heard the terrified screams of Happosai. "Ah. And there's the sacrifice." Alex took to the air with a flap of his wings and shrugged. "Well, I guess this means we don't have time for a plan, just jump right in and hope not to bomb. Anyone need a lift?"

Silk and Zelgadis came flying back down the path as Happosai-chan's scream was still ringing in the air. "Let's get moving." Silk said. "Ulysses get a ride with Brush or Naga, Rinse go with Amelia." her tone was very commanding, and everyone obeyed on instinct. "Three teams. Alex, Rinse, and Amelia close in center; Brush, Ullysses and Naga are one wing, Zelgadis and I are the other wing. Mutual support, try to stay with your group. Figure out who's going to concentrate on offense and defense now." by the time Silk had finished her speil they were closing quickly with thw fortress walls and they each had other things on their mind.

Amelia gulped slightly, then wrapped her arm around Rinse's waist. "Looks like we're on point for the champions of Love and justice!" She smiled at Rinse one last time. "LEVITATION!"

Like a missile the couple shot off after Alex. Following him right into the window of the fortress. Right where she could see Miss Lina trapped in a magic circle and Zasz chanting and holding a vicious dagger over a whimpering Happi-Chan.

Alex quickly said, "I'll go for up-close offense. Amelia, see if you do something about that circle that's holding Lina. Rinse, you make sure Amelia doesn't come to harm. I don't think she's as tough as we are." Alex shot into the window, announcing his presence with a double-fisted ki-punch to the face, injuring him enough to make him drop the dagger on the side of the altar and knocking him into the wall. Alex dropped into an offensive stance and said, "Hope your medical insurance is paid up, bub. You're going to be needing it shortly."

Brush, Naga and Ulysses landed a bit to the side and behind of Alex. Brush said as she gestured to the mind-controlled Gouury, "He the guy we were originally going to rescue?" Naga nodded, then began to move away and get a clear line of fire for her magic, as Brush did the same.

Silk and Zelgadis followed the others in through the window, landing on the opposite side of Zasz from the others. Both instantly began to power up for a large spell, working to join their efforts for a large blast.

Zasz leaped to the left away from the main groups. Alex's blow didn't even seem to faze him. "Gourry!!" He commanded, "Attack that group, keep 'em busy!!" he motioned toward Brush and Naga's group. Gourry imediatly ignited his sword of light and attacked Brush.

Thinking quickly zasz pulled out a glowing red card. "Time for some reinforcements.. Come forth MILENKO!." A ghostly green Genie appeared and rushed forth to attack Alex.

The Genie's voice spoke with a deadly hollowness. "Peer into my eyes Alexander Funryu! See the evil within your own heart and the death that follows."

Grinning now Zasz looked over at Silk and Zel. "I guess I just have to defeat you two." Zasz laughed as he began a spell.

Meanwhile Amelia and happi-Chan began working on the magic circle to release Lina. "Be careful Amelia." happi warned, "One small mistake and we endanger Lina."

Alex ignored the genie's taunt and growled, right before he slammed a flurry of punches into its face, powered with Amelia's Visfrank spell. As he ended his punching raid with a right cross that sent the genie reeling back, the glowing magic energy, which had been shaped as boxing gloves, reformed as wicked-looking claws. He then went for another speed attack, while his adversary was off-balance. "I think YOU'RE the one about to die, you overrated dust devil."

In another part of the room, Brush used her naginata to parry Gouury's attack and send him stumbling towards Naga. Naga quickly cast a Freeze Arrow at Gourry's feet and body, to hold him in place.

Gourry grinned savagely as he swept downward with the sword of light. The heat from the magical blade instantly melting the ice that Naga immobilized him with.

Running forward he shoulder blocked Naga, knocking her to the ground. He then brought the sword of light out in a broad arc toward the staff portion of Brush's Naginata. Trying to slice it in half.

Alex's fight with Milenko was becoming increasingly problematic. The genie turned back around on Alex, unscathed and unhurt but the attacks. "You'll have to do better than that boy!" Milenko stared right into Alex's eye, activating his dark magic. Alex could feel Milenko's stare pulling all of his evil thoughts and emotions to the surface.

Zasz was chanting the verbal componants to his version of the dragon slave fully intending to destroy Silk and Zelgadis with it.

Amelia and Happi worked diligently on the seals binding Lina. Happi smiled as she realized that her locked away magical abilities were unlocked in this world. "Amelia start dispelling the circle on your side, I'll start mine.. Be very careful, make sure each incantation is correct.

Rinse guarded both Happosai and Amelia as they did their work.

Brush just barely managed to avoid Gourry's attack. She went through a mental list of spells she had, the came up with a solution. "Crystal Rings, Entangle!" A set of three smoky magic rings appeared around her for an instant, before speeding towards Gourry. 'That should hold him, I hope.'

Gourry didn't even flinch when Brush launched her attack. With a single swipe of the sword of light he sliced the rings in half as he continued his attack.

"GOURRY!!" Lina screamed " Stop!! These people are here to help you!!" She was trying desperatly to get through to him. Upon hearing Lina's voice he paused momentarily as he fought for control.

Amelia and Happi were very close to releasing Lina.

Silk and Zelgadis were almost done powering up when Silk noticed Zasz's attention on them, "What is he doing?" she asked Zel blinked a few times, "He wouldn't cast a Dragon Slave! In here he'd destroy everything!"

"Let's hope he remembers that!" silk said as she finished her chant. "Now?" They finished powering up and cast their spells simaltaniously, "Ra Tilt!" "Dug Haut!" Instead of two blasts of power, from the different spells, a single beam of manifested and electicaly polarized astral magic shot at the dark sorcerer. A spell that attacked from both Physical and Astral space... innovative.

Normally, Milenko's attack would have overwhelmed Alex easily. But due to the merger, he was able to resist it. His eyes glowed red to show his irritation and anger. "Fool. Chaotic Disintegrate!" A white beam of pure holy energy slammed into Milenko's body, injuring him severly and knocking him into Zasz's back and causing both to stumble towards Silk and Zelgadis's attack.

Recovering faster than humanly possible Zasz spun about causing Milenko to take the full brunt of Zel's and Silk's spell. The blast vaporized the Genie but Zasz was completely unharmed. Of course the attack screwed up his Dragon Slave.

"Time to Die!" he began tossing fireballs indiscimenatly.

Alex gave Silk and Zelgadis a quick thumbs-up for providing him with a weapon to use on the Genie. --Ok, one genie, assisted kill, for the scorecard.--he thought to himself. As a few of Zasz's fireballs flew towards him, he called forth a small shield on his arm, and started to swat them back at him. "Catch!"

"Uh oh!" Zasz became slightly intangible causing the fireballs to pass through him harmlessly.

Happi and Amelia finally got Lina free from the circle. She had been through way too much today, and she was completely pissed off. She had a plan for dealing with Zasz.

She was going to concentrate a dragon slave on him!

Darkness from twilight
Crimson from blood that flows
Buried in the flow of time
In thy great name
I pledge myself to darkness
Those who oppose us shall be destroyed
by the power you and I possess


DRAGON SLAVE !


The concentrated dragon slave speared right through Zasz. His intangibility protected him from some of the blast. The spell didn't finish him off.

"Child's Play!" Zasz exclaimed. He didn't notice what Happi was up to.

Those who oppose us shall be destroyed
by the power you and I possess


DRAGON SLAVE !


"Wha!!" was all that zasz could say as the second Dragon Slave hit him. He fell to his knees trying to resist the damage.

While Gourry was occupied attacking Brush, Naga had summoned a golem, which slammed Gourry in the back of the head with a fist, knocking him out. Brush quickly added her own magic to the mix.

"Fa kansti aris ULTIMA!!"

A swelling ball of blue energy engulfed Zasz. The non-elemental spell did just as much damage as the two Dragon Slaves.

As the smoke cleared it revealed a much bruised and tattered Zasz lying on the floor in a pool of his own blood. The fact that he was still alive after being nailed with three 'Dragon Slaves' was a testiment to his endurance.

He knew that he had been defeated. He also knew that since he abused the powers of the Dark Carnival for his own selfish ends that the carnival would now destoy him. He drew one last card from his pocket and summoned the Riddlebox.

An evil looking Jack in the box appeared and the Face of an Evil clown popped out on a spring. The voice of the riddlebox sounded like several voices speaking at once.

"Zasz, once known as Happosai, you have gone against the Dark Carnival for your own selfish reasons. The Penalty is DEATH!." Before the sentance could be carried out one of the Riddlebox voices seperated from the rest.

"He was trying to advance the Carnival's hold on this world well before it's time. But I believe his judgement was impaired, he had recently been run off by the woman he loved. Perhaps this one could learn from his mistakes?"

There was a pause as the riddlebox seemed to think about this revelation. "Very Well, we send you back to the time and world of your birth, You shall be stripped of your powers and position in the Carnival. You will have to rely on your Martial arts and minor summoning, You will be cursed with Perversion for the rest of your life. Go Now and bother the dark Carnival no longer."

With that said, the riddlebox disapeared, followed by Zasz fading away. All evidence of Zasz or the Dark Carnival simply disapeared.

The door that Zasz had been trying to open, opened by itself. Through the doorway the group could see modern day Nerima. A voice entered all of their heads. " You have saved this world from Zasz, go home now for you may face the Dark carnival in the future."

Alex shrugged as he marked a small card he pulled out from his pocket, then replaced. He looked at the doorway and said, "Well I guess it's time for us to head home." He looked at the native team of adventurers. "Thanks for helping us out. We appreciate your teaching and help. I hope you guys do well for yourselves." Alex then went over to Happi-Chan. "You ok, Happi?" Seeing Happosai's surprised look, he added, "Hey man, did you think we'd just leave you to die or something? We're your friends, man."

Happi got to her feet and looked up at Alex. "All the trouble I cause yall, I figured I was done for." She stared at her feet for a minute. "I'm sorry I doubted you, I can't believe i was so vile in my younger days."

While Alex and Happi-Chan were talking, Naga took it upon herself to say something to Alex. "Well, Alex, are you sure I can't convince you to stay here?" She walked up to him, and pulled him into a passionate kiss, before he was yanked away by Brush. "No he's not staying. He's got responsibilites at home." She glared at Naga a bit before relenting. "Thanks for the spells, Naga. I think I'll try some of this new stuff later. I hope you benefit from my stuff as well." Naga nodded in agreement. "Well, let's all go home now." Brush walked through the doorway.

Silk shook hands with Zelgadis, handing him a large metal insulated thermos. He unclasped the red pendant from his cloak and handed it to her. "Thank you." she said with a smile. "I'm sorry about the trouble we caused, but it turned out well enough, I guess."

Zelgadis' face didn't crack when he returned the smile for an instant, "You can come back any time you want. Just leave your crazy friends at home."

Silk grinned, "We'll see." she gave him a quick hug, which caused his face to turn bright red, then turned and walked to the door. "Ok, let's go guys." she waved one last time and stepped through to the other side.

Lina smiled to her friends and then grinned at the departing heroes. " We may not have gotten along all that well, but thank you i don't know what would have happened had you not been here to save me. " She knelt down to happi-Chan and kissed her on the forehead. "Thank you Happosai, one of these days you have to tell me where you learned the dragon Slave."

Happi blushed, waved and stepped through the portal. The rest of the party following suit. As the last stepped through the portal closed.

Moments later each and every hero awoke in their own beds. Glancing at clocks each one noticed that it was the same time that they woke from the dream that summoned them to Lina's world.

Each one wondering if what they experianced was real or a dream.

Back at the Shinto shrine that started it all Violent J and Shaggy smiled to themselves. It always felt good to have a job done well. Now that these people know of the Dark Carnival the may be able to prevent the destruction it brings.

"You 2dope. " Violent J broke the silence. " Ya know we gonna have to fight them again!"

"I know J.. I can Hardly wait."

******

Epilougue

"What is with this!" Silk closed the cupboard door with perhaps more force then neccesary. her favorite thermos was gone. She looked bailfully again at it's usual berth on the shelf, reaching up to feel the emptiness where a fine metal thermos should have been. Instead her hand encountered something small and smooth. She grabbed the round object and pulled it out into the light where she could see it. It was a cloak clasp with a red stone. Her thermos was gone, a round pin with a ruby in it's place... maybe...

"HAPPOSAI!!!"