Subject: [FFML] [FFML][Slayers/Bastard] Slayers Sword Prologue - 3
From: Chess Combites
Date: 12/15/1999, 11:36 AM
To: ffml

Authors Notes:
 I have placed chapter 1,2 and the prologue on the FFML before
so this may seem familiar to some of you.  After some time much
review and assistance from my pre-readers I am re-releasing the
prologue and first two chapters  as well as chapter 3.   From my
outline this will eventually be 8 chapters with an epilogue.

 C&C would be welcome and suggestions for rewording were the
flow is clogged would be gratefully appreciated.

 As to my other Work "Dogs of the Saotome" It will be
suspended till I can finish Slayers Sword.  I just don't feel I will
have the necessary skills to do it justice till I have finished this
project.

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<<WARNING!! WARNING!! NO DISCLAIMER>>

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??>FILE FOUND. STANDARD DISCAIMER>

 Standard Disclaimer

 I do not own these characters they are the respective
property of their creators.

<<END DISCAIMER>>

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---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                SLAYERS
                                 SWORD
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Prologue:
                         The board is set.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

 "FOOLISH MORTAL I AM A GOD YOU CAN NOT DEFEAT ME."

 "Stupid relic.  If anyone here is a god it is me."

 MEGA D'SU

 "I will not be stopped"

 HARROWING

 VOID

 Just a few more seconds. Schneider felt the magical energies
controlled by Ansla-Sax start to go out of control.  A few more
seconds. Schneider felt his reserves tap out as the Demon god died.
What the...

 Behind him the magical energies that the demon god had
released converged into a vortex. Schneider tried to resist the
pull from the spell gone wrong.  But with his reserves were so low
he did not have enough energy to resist.  That didn't stop him from
trying.

 POOF

 "WHHHAAAAA!!!  Yoko!! Help me!!!"

 *DAMN!!*

 With his energies spent Schneider reverted to Ruche Ran-Ran
and was sucked into the portal.

 "Ruche!!"

 "Darche!!"

 "Father?"

 "Humph.  He'll be back."

 "Gara!  How can you say that."

 "Doesn't he not always return?  Besides Yoko didn't he
borrow fifty yen from you before the fight?"

 "Well yes, but..."

 "Well then come on after a fight like that I could use some
food.  Coming?  Nei?  Yoko?  Kull-Su?"

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 "I am here my master."

 "You have done well, this Castle will mask my presence from
her nicely.  Have you found a suitable sorceress yet?  One
sufficiently powerful for my needs?"

 "If it is a strong sorceress you need master then the
strongest would be Lina Inverse."

 A small globe of light appeared then dimmed.  As it did one
could make out an image within.   A petite red head was blasting a
team of bandits with a series of fireballs.  She then finished the
job with a Dragon Slave.

 "Ah yes I can feel HER power in this one is very strong.
And I must say she is rather lovely, if rather flat.  Still she will
do nicely for my needs.  Quickly bring her to me, unharmed."

 "Yes, my master."

 When the servant had left the man smiled.  Soon SHE would
pay for the insult SHE gave him.  He would destroy HER favorite
creation and use one of HER own to do it with.  The man continued to
sit in the shadows of his throne with only the silence and darkness
as company.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Chapter 1:
                              The Right Foot
---------------------------------------------------------------------

 **Of all the luck.  I'm in another Plane and stuck in this
prepubescent body.  At this rate I'll never get Yoko in bed.
<Sigh.>  First things first.  Shut the damn kid up.**

 "WAHHH! YOKO WHERE ARE YOU!  WAHHHH!"

 Being trapped inside the little brat Dark Schneider was at a
loss at how to do that.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Nearby on the road to Sayrune.  A small group of travelers,
consisting of a redheaded sorceress, a young cleric, a blond
swordsman, and a mysteriously cloaked figure, heard the cry of
despair.

 "Someone's in trouble.  We, the forces of Justice must help.
FOR JUSTICE."  With that she charged into the forest.

 "Amelia wait up.  Damn.  Well come on guys let's go retrieve
Little Miss Justice before she makes a bigger nuisance of herself."
The Crusaders redheaded companion said.

 "Is that even possible."  Asked their cloaked friend

 "Must we?"  Said the blond

 "Why not let her go on her crusade.  She'll catch up later."
Stated the cloaked one.

 "Because, the little brat stole her Royal Seal from me last
night.  So unless you want to be paying for dinner tonight, we've
got to catch her."  Replied the red head

 "Works for me."

 "Very well then."  A smirk crossed his face.  Then he
continued in a flat tone.  "For justice."

 "Hey, Zelgadis.  Did you just crack a joke?  Will wonders
never cease.  Mr. doom and gloom found himself a sense of humor.
My, there is hope for you yet."

 "I don't get it?"

 "Oh come you idiot."

 With that the three travelers went after their more
enthusiastic companion.  While up in a tree a figure smiled.  "This
should be fun."  Then he too disappeared.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!
 WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!
 WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!

 "Little boy are you all right."

 **Great, help.  A young girl, Maybe she could shut the brat
up.**

 WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!
 YOOOOOOOOKOOOOOOOO!!
 WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!

 **Then again.  Oh well, at least she has a nice rack and at
that age she should still be a virgin.  Now, if only he could get a
kiss.**

 "Hey calm down.  Stop crying please. Please stop."

 "There you are Amelia.  So what's the..." She was stopped by
a tackle hug.

 YOOOOOKOOOOO!!

 **Finally, the brat shut up.  What? Yoko?  No wait this
isn't Yoko.  Yoko has a bigger chest.**

 "Get this thing off of me!"

 "Yoko.  Wait your not Yoko.  YOKO WHERE ARE YOU!!"

 Clamping her hand over the kid's mouth.  "Calm down, and we
will help you find Yoko, OK. "  Removing her hand she saw he had
stopped.  "My name is Lina, Lina Inverse.  What is your Name?"

 "Ruche"

 "Well Ruche were did you last see Yoko?"

 "We were at Meta-Rikana.  Monsters attacked then I was here."

 "..."

 Seeing there blank expressions Ruche slumped into his overly
large clothes and started crying again.  Looking back at this
moment, Lina would not be able to recall a reason why she did what
she was about to do.  The only answer she could find was that it was
that something was guiding her actions.  For something strange
happened to Lina.  Emotions long suppressed and denied came to bear
as she found herself kneeling before Ruche.

 "There, there don't worry Ruche.  Everything will be all
right.  I'll make sure of it."  She then gave Ruche a hug.

 "This is creepy.  Lina is being nice."

 "..." Said Zelgadis.

 "I knew Lina was good inside and this proves it."

 "You're overreacting Amelia.  It's probably just maternal
instinct." Zelgadis said sarcastically.

 "What's maternal instinct?"

 Then Lina kissed Ruche's forehead.  It was enough.  As Lina
stood up Ruche started to glow.

 "What the?" Lina said as stepped back.

 Ruche's hair turned white and he started to grow.  Magical
energies arced over his body as his clothing stretched to cover his
larger frame.

 "I AM FREE AGAIN!!"

 Sitting in a tree Xellos's eyes widened in surprise.  That
power, it was dark, chaotic, and completely unknown to him.   This
was getting more interesting by the moment.

 Now standing were Ruche had been before was a tall handsome
man.  Ruche's overly large clothes were now stretched tight over his
body.  He looked at the group of travelers and gave a smile.

 "Surprising, you must still be a virgin.  Well, with that
chest I can see why."

 Lina was fuming.

 "He's dead."

 "Take cover!"

 "Flee!"

 DILL BRAND

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Lina brushed the dust of her hands.  "Ah! Nothing makes me
feel better than blowing up at least one jerk a day."

 "Not bad.  A bit rude though not letting a handsome guy such
as myself introduce himself before you attack him."  Brushing a
little dust off of his shoulder.  "But if that's the way you want
it."

 *SLAYART SLAYART BAROMONO
 *Lightning of Darkness...*

 Watching from his perch Xellos's eyes got even wider.  That
was ancient Sorcery lost so long ago that some of the Mazoko
believed it had never existed.

 VAL-VOLT

 RAYWING

 A lightning bolt passed though the space Lina had occupied
only moments before. "That's it the gloves are off!"

 *Darkness beyond twilight, Crimson beyond blood that flows.*

 "Run!!"

 "Gourry Wait For me!"

 RAYWING

 "Come on Amelia there not enough time to get to a safe
distance on foot."

 "Oh Right."

 RAYWING

 The two then grabbed Gourry and carried him to safety.
Unnoticed Xellos's also left for a safer perch.

 *Buried in the stream of time is where your power grows.*

 A faint memory tugged at the back of Schneider 's mind.

 *I pledge myself to conquer all the foes who stand...*

 He had heard this spell before but, Where?

 *before the mighty gift bestowed in my unworthy hands.*

 Best be prepared.  He was still weak from his battle with
Ansla-Sax.

 *ELEELENAMER*
 *Holy Spirit be my shield.*

 DRAGON SLAVE

 STRYPER

 That got him for sure, Lina thought as she landed amidst the
destruction.  "No Way!"  She exclaimed as the smoke cleared
revealing her advisory under a glowing shield that quickly flickered
away and died.

 "No way!"

 The figure then collapsed to his knees.  His body then
shuddered and started to shrink.   Soon the boy was once again
before Lina.  With a cry of Yoko he then collapsed into a heavy
sleep.

 Lina looked down and sighed at the boy.  What was she going
to do now?  Briefly she considered toasting him with a fireball but,
she couldn't seem to bring herself to do it.  Then there was that
strange guy that he turned into.  He had survived a dragon slave and
was throwing spells she had never heard of.  What was he?  Sighing
again she chanted a spell.

 LEVITATION

 Then she dragged the now floating boy behind her.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Chapter 2:
                    Dreams and Nightmares
---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Warmth.  That was all he felt in this place.

 Where was he.

 Grey.  That was all he could see.

 This must be a dream.

 Breathing.  Was all that he could hear.

 It was loud and ragged like some one running.  Then it
changed.  Whoever was running had stopped.

 A male voice. "You are still too weak.  Give the child to
me."

 "NO!" A woman said.  "He's mine!  I must protect him!  If
his father..."

 "Give him to me and I promise his father will never find
him."

 "Are you certain?"

 "You have my life on that."

 "Let me say goodbye to him, Schneider."

 Light.  Shadow.  Red.

 "Darche, my child.  Be good and free."

 Something wet fell on his face.

 A Tear.

 "Know always that I love you."

 "They are coming..."

 "Your Uncle Schneider will keep you safe.  Don't forget me."

 Darkness.

 "Take him."  Her voice was firm and resolute.  "I will hold
them off."

 "Do not worry your child will be safe."

 Then he was moving, his mother's voice was fading away.

 *Darkness beyond twilight, Crimson beyond blood that flows;*

 *Buried in the stream...*

 VOOOSH

 Light.  Shadow.

 "Well little one its time we got you somewhere safe."

 A face came into focus.  It was his.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Lina woke with a start.  Something was wrong.  Let's see.
Pajamas?  Check.  Blankets?  Check.  Ruche asleep beside her?
Check.  Be...  Wait a minute and back up.  What was that last one?
Ruche asleep beside her?  That's what I thought.

 Lina was out of the bed and up against the wall in a flash.
Reassuring herself that she still had her pajamas in place, she took
a second to look at her current vexation.  What was the brat doing
here anyway?  Zelgadis and Gourry were supposed to be watching him.
And he up and crawls into her room, by the... come on.  One thing
was for sure, those two would get it in the morning.

 "Yooo... ko... "  Ruche whimpered as he tossed in his sleep.

 "Poor thing.  You miss her don't you."  Lina said as she
reached down to touch his brow.  Ruche responded by reaching out and
grabbing hold of her arm.  Calming from his turbulent dream to a
peaceful rest.  "Well don't you worry little one.  I will see that
you get back to her.  Or my name isn't Lina Inverse."

 "How touching."

 Lina whipped around trying to find the source of the voice.
"I don't know who you are but you picked the wrong girl to peep on!"

 "Pardon the intrusion Miss Inverse but, my master has
requested you presence.  And what my master wants my master gets."
A figure said as it stepped out of the shadows.

 "We'll just see about that."

 FLARE ARROW

 Lina flashed a v for victory after seeing the stranger
enveloped in smoke.

 "Is that all you have.  Perhaps my information was wrong?"

 "Lina, what is going on?"  Ruche asked as he woke up.

 SLEEP

 "Now that he is taken care of we can finish this."

 "Damn, a Mazoko.  And with boy wonder here I can't pull out
the big spells."

 "Wrong asshole. I'm not taken care of."  Ruche said in a
very angry voice as he woke back up.

 The Mazoko took a step back.  The boy should be asleep.  He
could still feel his spell keeping him asleep.  Yet he stood before
him and insulted him with his glowing eyes...  Glowing eyes?   Yes,
the twerp had glowing eyes.  Possession?  A plant to stop him?  Did
some one know of his master's plan?  Damn it!  This was supposed to
be a simple snatch and grab but, no someone had to interfere.  What
is he saying anyway?  It sounds like he is casting something ?  By
Ruby eyes... The power.  That's it I must find out who he is.  But
now it is time to get out of here.

 "Till we meet again."  The Mazoko said.   Then with a
flourish he disappeared into the shadows and stepped into his own
pocket dimension.

 With the disappearance of the Mazoko the magical energies
around Ruche faded away.

 CRASH

 Lina's door was knocked off its hinges as Zelgadis, Gourry,
and Amelia came charging into the room.  Xellos just sauntered in,
with a smile on his face.

 "Where is it?"

 "It, just left, so you're a little late."

 "What's going on Lina?  Why is everyone in your room?"
Ruche asked.

 "What was it?"

 "Just some Mazoko trying to kill me.  Hey how did you know
it was here?"

 "Xellos said there was trouble in your room."

 "Xellos!  When did...  <Sigh.> You wouldn't happen to know
what is going on here would you?"

 "Hmmmm,"  Xellos pondered.  Then with a big smile and wink
he said, "Not a clue."

 After everyone picked themselves up after the major
facefault, Lina muttering something about how she shouldn't have
bothered, while Zelgadis said something about stupid secrets.

 "Though it does seem that we are in for a lot of _fun_."
Xellos said as he looked at Lina's messy bed then Lina and Ruche.
"Yes,  I would say Lina's had a lot of _fun_ already tonight.  You
will invite me the next time you have _fun_ Lina?  I do so dislike
missing out on the _fun_."  Xellos said as he looked back at the
messy bed.

 By this time Lina's face was as red as her hair.  "Alright.
Everybody, out!   Out.  Come on.  The commotion's over so leave.
Bye. You too."  Having cleared the room, Lina bolted her door and
tried to get some sleep.  Not an easy task considering what had
happened.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Miles away, in a Dragons Horde, an eye opened.

 Could it be.  Yes.  My master has returned after 10,000 years.

 Flames then consumed the eye and it was gone.

 Turning its head the black dragon surveyed its treasure.
One of its pretties was missing.  Someone will pay!

---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Chapter 3.
                         Morning Revelations
---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Gourry yawned as he lazily walked back to his room after
standing guard under Lina's window for half of the night.  Zelgadis
believed the Mazoko could be back for another attempt.  So they took
turns guarding Lina's room for the night.   Gourry yawned again as
he passed Ruche in the hall.

 Pausing Goury's eyes widened as he realized why the bundle
that Ruche was carrying looked so familiar.  It couldn't have been.
He could have sworn... nah.  Well, then again.  But, Polka dots?

 Deciding that he was no longer sleepy Gourry headed back to
the main room of the Inn for some food.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Xellos smiled.  Such a beautiful morning.  The birds were
singing.  The sun was shining.  Ah, I just love mornings Xellos
thought as he leaned back against the roof of the inn.  L-sama
really knew what she was doing when she made them.  The way the sun
slowly and methodically continues to rise ever higher. Torturously
waking the denizens of the world.  The way the animals seemed to
even pitch in for the task was masterful.  Xellos almost glowed as
he drank in the groans of the townspeople.  Oh how they begged for
mercy or fought to maintain their blissful sleep.  All that effort
will help them naught for eventually they will succumb and be forced
in to wakefulness.  The shear brilliance of it made Xellos want to
break out into maniacal laughter.  Unfortunately that wasn't his
style so he just smiled.

What is this.  Someone up this early and happy about it?  This won't
due.  I'll have to do something about that.

 Whoa...   Wait a minute that can be.  Can it?   Oh this is
rich.  Polka dots.  This brings so many possibilities.  It just
wouldn't due for it to be known that the Natural Enemy for all that
Lives wears polka dot...

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Zelgadis woke with first light.  He had slept lightly due to
the unexpected Mazuko attack last night.  Quickly changing and
packing, he passed his window.  Pausing, he then backpedaled to the
window.  Yes, he hadn't imagined it.  Ruche was in the middle of the
Town Square doing Lina's laundry.   Ruche then hung up the last item
he had washed to dry.  Briefly Zelgadis contemplated this new
information.  Then he slowly turned around, sat on the floor, and
began casting a spell.  It wouldn't due for them to pay for a new
Inn once Lina found out.  Zelgadis had to cast the spell three times
as visions of an angry Lina and polka dots kept distracting him from
the spell.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 Amelia rubbed her eyes as she walked sleepily down the
stairs to the main room of the inn.  Yawning, she said good-morning
to Ruche as he passed.  He was up early this morning.

 BLINK.  BLINK.  Wait a minute... were those polka dots?
Briefly, Amelia considered what she would do if servants paraded her
black lace around the palace halls.

 Amelia then proceeded to run to the main room of the inn
like all five of the great Mazoko lords were on her tail.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 "Morning, Lina-san!", Ruche exclaimed brightly as he walked
into Lina's room.

 "Waaaaaaahhhhhh!  DON'T YOU EVER KNOCK!!!!", Lina yelled.
Briefly, she wondered how he got in since she had barred the door.
Then her eyes fell upon the bundle in his arms.  As her face rapidly
transcended from white to red then finally a dark and very unnatural
shade of purple.

 "Lina-san, I did..."

 Ruche stopped as he found himself suspended in the air by
Lina's arm.  The bundle of clothing no longer in his hands.  Looking
back at him Lina had a red glint in her eyes as she spoke two words.

 FLARE ARROW

 Ruche's eyes widened as he saw the magical energies coalesce
in front of him.  Then they fizzled out millimeters before his face.

 Lina blinked in surprise then threw Ruche out the door and
slammed the door.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 SLAM!!

 "It seams Lina found out about my spell."

 "What spell is that Zel?"

 "A magical dampening field."  Zelgadis said, "We don't want
to pay for a new inn."

 "Oh."

 "Polka Dots???" Gourry said still in a daze.

 "Try not to think about it, Gourry.  It was a shock to us
all."  Amelia said.

 "Well I for one know what I'm going to get Lina for her next
birthday.  It just won't do for the Enemy of all that Lives to be
wearing polka dots."  Xellos said.

 "Maybe we should go shopping today," Amelia said.  "My
sister recommended a place near here."

<SLAM>

"Lina is coming," Zelgadis said.

 "Alright, who's the wise guy?"  Lina said, as she stormed
down the stairs into the Main room of the inn while carrying a
scared Ruche by one arm.

 "Now Lina you don't want to pay for a new Inn?"

 "LINA KICK!  Now Zel, you should warn me when you do
something like that.  What if monsters attacked, ne?"

 "Huh, why didn't Lina use a spell?  Is it that time of the
month again?"

 "LINA PUNCH!"

 "Sure feels like it," Gourry moaned and joined Zel on the
inn's floor.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 An hour later the waitresses at the inn worked to clear the
stack of dishes Lina and her associates had stacked on the table.
Having temporarily appeased her stomach Lina's gaze rested on the
current object of her vexation.  Namely a young boy named Ruche.

 "Alright Ruche, would you care to enlighten us as to what is
going on?"

 "Huh?"

 "Don't play innocent with me kid.  Why is a Mazoko after me?
How did you scare it away?  What kind of magic were you using?  And
how did you change your age like that?"

 Through this entire barrage of questions Ruche just blinked
blankly at Lina.  Till she mentioned the last.  "Age?"

 "Yeah kid.  Your hair turned white and you grew to be six
feet tall.  What was that all about?"

 "Schneider."

 "What was that kid?  Speak up.  Come on out with it."

 "I don't know about the other stuff but, the other one is
Dark Schnieder.   He is... what was it Yohko said?  Ah, yes
'Schnieder is sealed in you Ruche-kun.'  Does that help?  Can you
get me back to Yohko-san, Lina-san?"

 "Eh?  What do you mean sealed?"

 "He can't come out unless released."

 "And how do you release him?"

 "A virgins kiss.  What's a virgin Lina?  Yohko wouldn't tell
me."

 Lina didn't here Ruche's question because she had turned beat
red at the mention of a virgin's kiss.  And found herself to be the
object of several strange looks.

 "Ah Lina, what is a virgin?" Gourry asked.

 This only served to turn Lina redder as she shrunk back into
her chair.

 "My isn't this a change.  No wonder she wears polka dot...
<Gurgle>"

 Suddenly Lina had attacked.   With her hands firmly fasted
around Xellos's neck she proceeded to violently shake him.  "You...
You...  You, pervert!  I can't believe you could say something like
that at a time like this!"  Then slamming Xellos to the ground she
then stormed out of the inn.

---------------------------------------------------------------------


-- Chess Combites
http://www.umr.edu/~chess/pages/dogs.htm
"Baka Baka" -- Ruri-chan
Martian Successor Nadesico




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