EL-HAZARD: The Magnificent World - The Heroes' Quest
First Night; Night of Sorrowful Tears
Story Copyright (c) 1997 Brian Navy (geosword@usa.net)
Characters and places Copyright (c) AIC/Pioneer
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AUTHOR'S NOTE:  Welcome to a land where anything is possible.  I
have fallen greatly in love with the El-Hazard series, both OVA and TV.
When you can't get enough of a good thing it's time to do something
about it.  I have chosen to write my own El-Hazard OVA series, trying to 
remain as true to the characters as I see them.  This OVA series is
intended to take place after the 2nd OVA series which is on it's way
here to America (No, Not The Wanderers.  That is a completely different
story line)!  Grab your favorite reading drink, sit back and enjoy.  Please
send E-mail!  I love E-mail!  E-MAIL is wonderful!  Especially when it
is all good like it was for my Tenchi Muyo short story, "A Very Tenchi
Christmas".  I can only hope to receive half the praise I did on that one but
here goes.
=====================================================

	Makoto was rudely awakened by someone knocking on his door rather harshly.
He grumbled all the way up into a sitting position, having been torn
violently away from a wonderful dream.  He felt like he had just fallen
asleep but he noted that no sun gleamed in through the window to the right
of his king size bed.  The knock came again.
	"Just a minute." He said groggily.
	He rolled out of bed and made his way across the soft red carpeted floor of
his bed chamber to the double ornate doors.  He cracked it open and squinted
at the torch light that forced it's way rudely into his room.  Nanami came
into focus, a smile on her pretty face.
	"Are you still sleeping?" she asked.
	"Not anymore.  What do you need?"
	"What do you mean what do I need?  I came to get you.  Remember?
The banquet tonight?  It's going to start in an hour." She said, pushing the
door open and stepping into his room.
	"Wow.  Have I really been asleep that long?" he said with a stretching
yawn.
	Nanami nodded.  "Yea.  You've been asleep a good while.  That's why 
I came to get you.  I thought you might try to sleep in.  You know this is an
important banquet and Princess Rune-Venus and Fatora requested you be there.
You can't let them down.  You'd never hear the end of it from that walking
bitch box, Fatora.  Hurry up and put on something formal."
	Nanami ushered him toward his closet then turned to leave.  She opened
the door and looked back.  "I'll wait for you in the hall.  Hurry up."
	She closed the door leaving Makoto in moonlit darkness.  He was still
tired.  The day's events had worn him out.  First, Princess Fatora had woken him
early so he could escort her to the market place outside the palace.  Why
she had
chosen him instead of a normal entourage escaped him.  Perhaps she just
delighted in the torment of waking him early or she just liked the attention
of commoners staring in disbelief at her male twin.  After that he had
returned to help with the building of the new palace gate house at
Fujisawa's request.  He toiled in the warm sun for nine hours, thankful for
the pleasant cool breeze that had come off the surrounding lake.  He had
taken a late lunch then crashed at around 4 p.m.  Before he could make it to
the safety of his bed though Fatora and Rune had stopped him to request his
presence at the annual banquet of the clans, a banquet they were throwing to
celebrate a year of peace from the Bugrom and the near disaster with the Eye
of God.
	He lit the lantern on the night stand next to his bed then opened his
closet and took a look.  His old blue school business suit hung next to his
Roshtarian clothing.  It had been a while since he had worn it.  There was
really no need.  He didn't plan on returning to Earth anytime soon.  He
decided on a white dress robe with red highlighted trimming around the
collar and sleeves.  He got undressed, a great task for his bruised and sore
muscles.  His getting dressed was taking longer than Nanami liked he guessed
since she banged on his door.
	"Hurry up in there Makoto!  We're going to be late!  You'd better not
have fallen asleep again or I'll have to beat you senseless then throw you to
Fatora's mercy." She laughed at her oxy moronic statement.  Fatora?  Mercy?
Not that Nanami had seen.
	This threat worked and he found new speed in his dressing.  When he was
done he looked at himself in the full length mirror then turned to the
orange mohawk hair styled cat sitting at the foot of his bed.
	"So what do you think Ura?"
	"Is okay." The cat replied in a rapid scratchy voice.
	"Let's get this over with." He sighed and made his way for the door after
blowing out the lantern.  Ura leapt off the bed and walked beside him.  He
opened the door and entered the high vaulted ceiling hallway.
Shayla-Shayla, priestess of Mt. Muldoon had arrived and was talking with
Nanami.  The two turned to Makoto when he appeared, each flashing smiles.
	Shayla-Shayla was in a knock out red low cut gown which matched her fiery
short red hair.  Matching red colored glows stretched up her arms to just
below her elbows.  She wore a light shade of make-up which accented her dark
skin and brought out the color in her green eyes.  Red shinny high-heels
covered her feet making her an inch taller and highlighting her toned bare
calves.  Makoto just stared at her stunned for a few seconds.
	"Wow.  You're beautiful Shayla." He said.
	She smiled sweetly while Nanami fumed.  She too had dressed for the formal
occasion in a sleeveless form hugging white gown.  The silky fabric traveled
down her gentle curves and clung to her body in the right places.  She also
wore high-heeled shoes that were polished white.
	"I see!  HMPH!  You can notice Shayla but not me!  TYPICAL!"
	Nanami about faced and began storming off down the hall.
	"Nanami!  Wait!  You're very lovely too!" Makoto tried to correct the error.
	"Nice of you to notice!  Save it for your other girlfriends you stupid
jerk!" she growled then turned the corner out of sight.
	"Touchy." Shayla smirked.  "You ready?"
	"Yeah.  I guess so." Makoto sighed.
	"Let's go then."
	Shayla stuck out her arm.  Makoto took it escort style and the two walked
down the lavishly decorated hall.  A short moment later they arrived in the
huge banquet feast hall which was surrounded by beautiful fountains and
sculpted foliage.  The low lying table took up the better part of the center
of the room and plush comfortable pillows were evenly placed around it for
people to sit on.  A few of the clan representatives had arrived and had
taken their places, talking merrily amongst themselves.  Princess Rune-Venus
and Fatora sat at the far end of the table carrying on their own private
conversation.  Nanami had taken a seat next to the handsomely dressed
Fujisawa to which was attached Miz Misthal, one of the other priestesses of
Mt. Muldoon.  Next to them sat Afura Mann, the chief priestess of Mt.
Muldoon.  Both were dressed in ravishing outfits that seemed to dull
everyone else's by comparison but the one person Makoto was looking for was
not here.
	"Where is Ifurita?" Makoto asked.
	"She said she wasn't feeling well." Shayla told him.
	"Excuse me." Makoto said, releasing his escort hold on Shayla.  She looked
annoyed as he left the hall.
	"It isn't fair." She grumbled and sighed then made her way over to sit next
to Afura.
	Makoto made his way down the hall to the room that had been given to
Ifurita.  He rapped lightly on the door then opened it slightly to see the
silhouette of Ifurita laying in her bed in the darkness of the room.  Makoto
entered and closed the door behind him quietly in case she was sleeping.
The door closed shut with a light click.
	"You will be late for the banquet Makoto." Ifurita said softly.
	"You're awake."
	She sat up, the light from the moon spilling through the window
illuminating her creamy skin, giving her a ghostly look.  Makoto walked over
and sat on the edge of her bed.
	"Shayla said you were ill."
	"I am fine.  I simply did not wish to join this banquet so I told her I was
ill."  Her voice sounded sad.  Makoto took one of her delicate hands in his.
	"Why don't you want to come to the banquet?" he asked.
	"I do not wish to cause any trouble.  Many of the clans do not trust me and
those who I hurt hate me.  It is best if I do not come.  I would only upset
them." She sighed.
	Makoto slid closer to her and she hugged him.  He hugged back with gentle
tenderness and stroked her long curly light bluish hair.
	"You were invited by the princesses.  No one would say anything about what
happened Ifurita.  It was not your fault.  They will understand.  I need you
by my side tonight or else I don't think I will make it through the banquet.
I am very tired and need someone very pretty to keep me awake."
	"If you are tired you may rest here." She managed a smile.
	"I have to attend or else I will not hear the end of it from Princess Fatora."
	"Fatora..." Ifurita's smile faded.
	"Don't worry about her.  She should be grateful you rescued her from Galus.
She's just... harsh I guess.  Even I can't carry on a normal decent
conversation with her.  I think the only one that can get close to her is
Alielle."
	Ifurita hugged tighter.  "I wish I could correct the mistakes I've made."
	He held her in his arms.  He really didn't care if he was late or not.

	The cleaver slammed into the wood block and stuck fast.  The chief chef of
the royal palace, Brice, wiped his brow.  All was finished now with the
exception of a few entrees.  He wiped his hands on his apron then caught
movement out of the corner of his eye.  He looked over to see Ifurita
walking next the preparation island, scanning the sizable feast that had
been prepared.  When she noticed he was staring at her she left the kitchen
quickly without a word.  Brice shrugged his shoulders and went back to
finishing the final touches for the banquet before it was rolled out and
served.  It was the best culinary work he had ever done.  Surely the
princesses would note this and his name would spread throughout the
countryside. 
	"Come!  It is time to serve!" he said to his kitchen staff.

	Makoto dragged his feet along as he made his way back to the banquet hall.
He had tried to convince Ifurita to join him for the evening but she
refused.  Maybe it was for the best.  As she had said, many of the clansmen
did not trust her and some hated her.  If they could only understand that it
was not her fault.  It was a different Ifurita, one that had no choices, a
slave.  If they could only see what was in her heart as he had.
	He passed through the archway into the banquet hall which was now filled to
capacity with members of the various Roshtarian clans.  The food was being
set out on the table, a task that was nearly completed.  Fatora gave him a
dirty look but he ignored her and sat down next to Nanami.  She didn't
acknowledge his presence.  He silently sigh he resolved that this was going
to be miserable night.
	The servants completed setting up the table then vanished into the corners
of the room until they would be needed again.  Rune-Venus tapped her fork on
her crystal wine glass to calm the maelstrom of chattering forces.  Everyone
came to attention quickly to listen to her speak.
	"I would like to thank you all for coming to the 1st annual celebration of
our victory over the Bugrom and the Shadow Nation.  We owe a great deal of
thanks to the Earthlings Makoto Mizuhara, Fujisawa Masumichi and Nanami
Katsuhiko.  And I would especially like to thank the one who literally saved
all of El-Hazard from destruction, Ifurita."
	Rune noticed the spot next to Makoto was devoid of Ifurita.  Rune frowned
and her eyes grew a little sadder when she saw the looks on some of the
gathered clansmen, looks of disbelief at what she had said.  It was clear
that several of them did not share her praise of the once powerful demon
goddess.  Despite her past history, Rune understood about Ifurita and had
forgiven her.  To Rune, the old Ifurita had died the moment her sister was
returned safely from the clutches of Jinnai and Queen Diva.
	"Unfortunately  Ifurita could not make it this night." Rune said.  Makoto
looked at her and mouthed a thank you.  She smiled back and nodded.
	"And to you Princess Rune-Venus and Princess Fatora.  You two had no small
part in the defeat over the Bugrom." Londs toasted.  Everyone raised their
glasses in cheer and took a drink, Fujisawa taking a few more than the others.
	"All right!  Let's dig in!  I'm starving!" Fatora rubbed her hands together
greedily.
	"So am I." Alielle cooed, rubbing up against the princess.
	"Later." Fatora whispered to her.  Alielle's beautiful pink eyes sparkled
with anticipation.
	The servants came back to the table and refilled glasses and served the
food.  Soon the table was a buzz once more with conversation and people
eating and drinking, all except Makoto who remained to himself and just
picked at his food.  Nanami noticed this and looked his way slightly.
	"You know... someone once told me if you can't be with the one you love,
love the one you're with." She said.  Makoto looked at her.
	"What do you mean?"
	She gazed into his brown eyes for a moment longer than she had intended
then looked away.
	"Nevermind.  Eat your food." She sighed.
	"I'm not very hungry." He returned his attention back to the plate of
delicious looking food.
	"You know she doesn't have to be here for you to enjoy yourself." Nanami
stabbed.  "You act like the whole world revolves around her."
	"It's not that.  It's just that everyone keeps looking at her as if she is
some kind of monster.  They don't even give her a chance, the real Ifurita,
not that puppet of Jinnai's.  She's a real person with feelings and right
now they are hurt.  I went and visited her in her room before I came here
and she was upset.  She thinks everyone hates her."
	Nanami looked back at him.  "If she had destroyed your city, your family
and friends without a second thought wouldn't you hate her too?"
	"NO!"
	That turned a few nearby heads and got Fatora's attention as well.  Makoto
quieted his voice down.  "Not when I learned the truth about her."
	"Well not many people here know the truth and some won't even want to
listen in the first place.  That's just the way it's going to be Makoto.
Ifurita is going to have to learn to deal with it."
	"You're wrong Nanami." Makoto frowned.
	"If you say so."
	She went back to eating her food with a disappointed look on her face.
Makoto was about to say something when a voice he had grown to loath over
the last year came from behind.
	"You're talking about her, aren't you?" Fatora said with an ice tone.
Makoto turned around halfway to look at her.  Alielle stood faithfully at
her side, hugging Fatora's waist.
	"So what if I was?" he spat back.
	"Oh.  Touchy." Fatora grinned.
	"Please just leave me alone tonight Fatora." Makoto sighed out and turned
back around.
	"That's PRINCESS Fatora.  You seem to forget my rank name." She growled.
	"When you start acting like one then I'll grant you the title." Makoto said
casually over his shoulder.  Fatora's left eye twitched in growing anger.
He had insulted her.  No minor insult either.  She thought about having the
guards haul him away to the torture chamber where she could personally seek
vengeance for her injured pride but in light of his hero status that
probably would not go over well.  Perhaps a simple slap would do for now.
She took a step closer to him to get within striking range and drew back a
hand then every muscle in her body died on her, an intense pain shooting up
and down her spine.  She screamed out her agony and collapsed into Makoto.
He caught her and laid her down.
	"Fatora!" Alielle cried out.
	"Sister!?" Rune stood.  A second later she too cringed and shrieked in
pain, collapsing to the floor.  Londs was at her side a second later.
Makoto looked back down at Fatora who had broken out into a sweat and was
trembling all over.  He touched her forehead and could feel the intense heat
of the fever that had suddenly attacked her.
	"Help me...." she whispered with little strength then she passed out.
	"What has happened here!?" Dr. Schtalubaugh said.
	"Princess Rune-Venus is burning up with fever." Londs said, picking her up
in his arms.
	"So is Fatora." Makoto announced.
	The gathered people began to talk among themselves in hurried concerned voices.
	"What could have happened?"
	"Are they sick?"
	"The food?"
	Londs cocked an eye.  The food?  Had the princesses been poisoned?  A very
real possibility.  "GUARDS!" he shouted.  Armored troops showed up almost
immediately and saluted.  "Seal the palace!  No one gets in or out!  Is that
clear?"
	"Yes Lord Londs!" the captain said.  He spun about and ran from the room to
give out the order.
	"What is the meaning of this?" one of the clan lords said.
	"The princesses have been poisoned." Londs said.
	"Quickly!  Bring them to my lab" Schtalubaugh said, making his way quickly
out of the room.  Londs followed with Rune in his arms.  Fujisawa picked up
Fatora and quickly followed after along with the priestesses, Makoto and Nanami.

	Makoto, Nanami, Fujisawa and Alielle sat outside of Schtalubaugh's lab.
Nanami noticed Alielle was sitting next to the door, her knees hugged to her
chest.  The normal fire of life in her pink eyes was not there.  This was
the saddest she had ever seen her.  Nanami got up and sat down next to her.
She placed a hand on Alielle's shoulder who looked over at Nanami.
	"Hey.  You look so sad you were making me want to cry.  Are you going to be
okay Alielle?"
	She shook her head no.  Nanami squeezed her shoulder in reassurance.
	"Would you hold me Nanami?" Alielle whispered out, almost in tears.
	Normally this would involve a lot of fondling on Alielle's part but she was
serious.  Alielle really looked as if she needed someone right now.  Nanami
smiled and snuggled the worried young girl.
	"I just don't understand it.  Londs thinks they were poisoned, right?"
Fujisawa said as he puffed away on his new Roshtarian cigarettes.  He had
cut back and was trying to quit all together but this occasion warranted a
smoke.
	"Yes." Makoto answered.
	"That means the poison was either in the food or the drink.  Everyone there
ate the same food and was drinking out of the same pitchers.  So why aren't
we all in the same boat as the princesses?  There was no way for the
assassin  to poison the food after Fatora and Rune got their food.  There
were to many people watching.  Unless it was a Phantom tribe assassin using
their mind powers to be invisible."
	Nanami shook her head.  "I didn't see any Phantom tribe people there."
	"This is damn peculiar." Fujisawa took a long drag from his cigarette.
	The door to Schtalubaugh's lab opened abruptly and Londs stormed out.
"They shall pay for this!" he said as he marched down the hall.
Schtalubaugh came out a moment later.  Everyone stood up to listen to what
he had to say.
	"Is Fatora okay?" Alielle asked, her hands folded together like a prayer.
	Schtalubaugh sighed and turned his back to them.  "Come in."
	Fatora and Rune were laying side by side on comfortable bed like lab
tables.  They looked to be asleep, covered by blankets.  Makoto's heart
sank.  They looked dead, their skin coloring deathly pale.  The priestesses
sat nearby looking worn out.
	"I have tried everything I can." Schtalubaugh sighed then turned to face
the party.  "I have used all my medicines I could think of but I have been
unable to destroy the virus that is spreading throughout their bodies."
	"Oh no." Alielle cried and buried her face in Nanami's stomach.
	"Even our magic wasn't able to cure them." Shayla cursed.  "We've only
managed to slow down the rate of spreading which is only torture for them.
They are in incredible pain.  We managed to force them into a sort of coma
using our magic.  At least they'll die peacefully."
	"That's terrible!" Makoto said.
	"They won't last much longer than a few days I'm afraid to say and there is
nothing I can do about it." Schtalubaugh voice was heavy with sadness and a
little guilt at not being able to help the two girls.
	"There has to be something we can do!" Makoto declared.
	Schtalubaugh rubbed his beard a few times and looked at Makoto.  "The only
thing I know of to do is something that there is practically no chance in
succeeding at.  In my research about ancient El-Hazard technologies I
uncovered a legendary place, a hospital if you will where all sickness could
be cured.  There is no hard evidence though that this place ever existed.
It was probably just a wild fantasy."
	"Legends seem to come true more often than not around here." Fujisawa
interjected.
	"That's right and if anyone can find this place it's Makoto." Nanami said.
	"Now wait a minute.  Let's not get our hopes up.  I wouldn't even know
where to start searching for something like that." Makoto frowned.
	"Allow me to research this legend a little further.  I will send for you
Makoto if I have something to tell you.  Until then all we can do is keep
them comfortable and pray."  Schtalubaugh took his leave to study in his
library.
	Alielle began to cry.  Nanami stroked Alielle's hair trying to comfort her.
	"I need some fresh air." Shayla said.  She left the room looking less than
thrilled by the night's events.
	"I'm going to get ready for our journey." Fujisawa turned to leave.
	"Journey sensei?" Makoto asked.
	Fujisawa looked over his shoulder with that sly grin he often sported.  "We
have a cure to find.  When you're ready to leave come and get me."
	"I'll help you get ready honey." Miz joined his side and the two left.
============================================================================
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Part 1 of 2 for Episode One
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WASHUU:  Lineage... Social status... why should these 
	 things matter?  That's how grown ups are...
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oo  President of the TEARS FOR TENCHI club, ;_;         oo
oo  Member of M.A.S., MEN AGAINST SHAMPOO!		oo
oo  Devoted worshipper of KAWAII anime girlies!		oo
oo  President of ANIME NATION!				oo
oo  Holder of the sacred P-chan plushie!		oo
oo  Keeper of the Carrot Basket!			oo
oo  Member of #AAS# - Achika Appreciation Society!      oo
oo  Grand Sardine of the Nuku-Nuku Fan Club             oo
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Advice for the day:  Don't make super bounce balls out of
nitroglyisern.