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      Chapter IV
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        Part I
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Speaking of cloths, the ones that Shadow's shade brought back were like, hell to some of them. Zelgadis, wearing white priest robes looked at the group headed towards Seyruun.
Gourry in a watchmans cloth and helm, and from the look of it, he liked the suit. Angela in a waitresses suit, like the elves she immediately joked by ^Can I have the menu?^. Amelia in a pink tunic, wich ended near over her heels. Sylphil had black jeans with white T-shirt. Shadow in white trousers and red cloak with mask. Phyria, who was totally mad of her cloths was in black priest cloths, almost like Xellos'.
"Why do 'I' have to wear 'this'?" Phyria pulled at her robes.
"Well, you could switch with me Phyria-san." Said Angela.
"What? I and that waitress suit? Nooo waaay!" Protested the dragon priestess.
"Why do I have the feeling that Xellos had the finger in this."
"Huh?" Wondered Gourry.
"We know that Xellos caused that Lina casted twice the Dragon Slave, and in the blast all our cloths were burned." Explained Zelgadis to the others.
"Yes, that's right Zelgadis-san." Agreed Amelia with him.
"But, only our cloths were burned?"Notes Shadow.
"Oh, that namagomi!!!" A tail appeared behind Phyria.
"Waaah!! *Sprung backwards Angela and Sylphil* What's that?"
"Phyria-san was a priestess of the Fire dragon king. She's a Gold dragon." Amelia introduced Phyria to the two girls.
*sweatdropp* Eyes twitching "Lina-san has some, khm ... interesting friends." Said Angela. ~Where did she meet them?~
"Phyria-chan, you see adorable out." Echoed a voice.
"Nooo. *Sighed Zelgadis* Get in cover." He gave the advice and moved away from Phyria.
"Namagomi!! What did you do with our cloths and where is Lina-san?"
"Oh, Lina-chan's fine and I didn't do anything with your cloths, but are your not fine?"
"Where is my robe?"
"I don't know--"
"You don't know?! You said before you didn't do anything." Protested Phyria.
"Oh well ... " Sweatdrops appeared on Xellos.
"So? Where is it?" Advanced the raging Dragon priestess.
"I don't have it ... But it isn't time for new cloths?"
"Why, you!! XELLOS!!!" Phyria transformed.
  FLAME BREATH!!!
  CHAOTIC DESINTEGRATE!!
  LAPHAS SEED!!
"She is like Lina-san when she rages." Commented the elven girl.
"Angela, Lina is much more worse, but now with this possession, Lina is more dangerous than ever." States Zelgadis.
"Xellos, could you lend us some money?" Asked Gourry.
"Sure." He tossed a goldsack over to the chimera.
"Isn't this Lina's moneybag?"
"Well yeah." Xellos ducked to avoid a spell.
"Did you steal her clothes aswell?"
"I couldn't her underwear, but yes."
"You never change."
"Change? Why?"
"Nothing."
"Here." Xellos throwed a picture to Gourry.
"Lina." Recognized the warrior the character of the picture.
"Let me see." Snatched Zelgadis the picture, wich showed Lina as she fought some orcs. She wore the wings used as a cloak.
"When did this happen?" Turned Shadow towards the priest.
"A day before --- Gourry-kun. Stop, you can't go after her."
"Xellos, get out of my way." Unsheats Gourry the Saber of Light.
"Gourry, relax. Lina is fine, besides you need new cloths."

*later in a small town*
Nearly everyone assembled their known cloths.
"Uhm, do we have enough money?" Asked Sylphil.
Amelia stood up to a high place, the top of a table and took on a victory pose.
"Never fear, we the upholders of JUSTICE will always prevail. I Amelia Will Tesla Seyruun won't let JUSTICE unserv---" Amelia would have probably continued, but the owner disturbed her.
"Oh, Princess Amelia. No need to pay. I'm happy to serve you."
~Or he's happy not to hear Amelia's monologues.~ Thought Zelgadis.

*Later, somewhere in the forest surroundning Seyruun*
"Now, what's the slpit-up?" Asked Xellos.
"Xellos, you probably know." Said Shadow.
"As I could remember to north goes Shadow-kun, Angela-chan and Amelia-chan. To Ky goes Phyria-chan, Gourry-kun, Sylphil-chan and you Zel-kun."
"Do you need to say kun or chan always?"
"No, but I like it. *smile* Oh, Zelly. Is this better?"
"Don't call me Zelly."
"Fine, fine. Zel-kun."
"When do we leave?"
"when all things are ready."
"For what?"
"For him." Pointed Xellos at a mazoku.
"Is this your work?"
"No. Hey Helix."
"Helix?"
"Xellos." Tryed to catch the mazoku the priest.
"I guess he is still upset a little." Levitated Xellos further away.
"From what?"
"Well, last time he wanted to kill me, I only left a spark of his soul."
"When was this?"
"Hundreds of years ago, why?"
"Anyway, does he erve your master?"
"My master is Zelas Metallium and Helix' is Deep Sea Dolphin.
"Is he a priest or a general?"
"General."
"Well then: RUN!!" Zelgadis the girls and stormed off with them.
"Uh? Right." Gourry and Shadow Run after then.

*later*
*pant* "And I thought Lina had weird aquintances." Noticed Angela to herself.
"He's not a friend, but a fiend." Said Xellos.
*sigh* "Anyway, Phyria could you open a portal to Ky?" Asked Shadow.
"I could for myself ... "Replies the dragon.
"So then it's gonna be a three week long way, eh?" Asked Gourry.
"And for us a month ..." Said Zelgadis.
"Well, let us part. So long." Vanished Xellos.
"I thought you would be with us or Shadow-sama to tease the whole group." Said Angela.
"I would tease Lina-chan more likely." Echoes Xellos' voice.
"Gourry, Sylphil come you two." Started Zelgadis to walk in eastern direction.
"Zelgadis-san. *Started Amelia* We could get faster to our destination if we would ask my father for a ship and a couch, right Shadow-san?"
"We could." Agreed the elf.
~Great,what else could go wrong.~ "Let's go to Seyruun." Declared Zelgadis.

*Later in a forest near the outskirts of a mountain*
"Amelia, are you sure this is the way to Seyruun?"
"Well *nervous laughter* I guess we're lost." The group facefaulted.
"Phyria, you could transform and fly around to find a village or a city." Said Shadow.
"Why should I? You can levitate and do this also." Answered Phyria.
"You're faster than me." Stated the elf.
"Turn around. *Commanded the dragon* I said turn around, I won't shapeshange if you're watching me." As soon as they turned Phyria transformed and flew off.
Xellos appeared. "Hy guys."
"Xellos, what are you doing here?"
"Reporting?" Smiled the mazoku.
"Report and what?" Asked Sylphil.
"Well .... first of the---" Held up  finger Xellos.
Phyria landed and hastly changed into a humanoid form.
"Seyruun is in western direction." Stated she.
"Like I wanted to say---" Restarted the priest.
"SCRAM!!!" Angela grabbed the cloak of Sylphil and Amelia.
"Huh?" Blinked Gourry.
"What's with them?" Looked Zel where Angela ran off.
"Like I would like to say---" Started Xellos the third time.
"Helix." Stated Zelgadis and grabbed Phyria and stormed off with Shadow and Xellos.
"Why do we always get in trouble?" Cryed Angela.
"How should I know?" Replied Amelia.
"Anyway, that Helix is quite slow. We could slow down a bit." Stated Sylphil.
Xellos, Gourry, Zelgadis and Phyria arrived at the girls location.
"Why are you standing there?"Asked Zelgadis.
"That Mazoku is pretty slow, We tought --"
"That Helium guy does wield a flaming whip?" States Gourry.
"His name is Helix, not Helium and that flaming whip is new to me."
"Because he is sitting over there." Points Gourry at the nearby mazoku.
"Humans. *A cold, shivering voice echoed* I just want to deal with Xellos."
"But why are you here? I don't think you just said it to relax us." Smiled Xellos.
"Xellos, you won't get away. I'm more stronger than the last time we met."
"Yes, I heard that you absorbed the priest of Gaav, but why do you think you can kill me? My friends won't let it be that--" States Xellos.
"Uhm, Xellos--" Said Helix.
"Yes?"
"You mean them? *Points the mazoku towards the moving group* I think your 'friends' don't like to help you out this time."
"Well than." Tryed to vanish Xellos, but changed his mind.
"We fight?"
"Exactly." Opened Xellos his eyes and started an Astral attack towards Helix.
"Let's go. I don't want to play meatshield to Xellos." Said Shadow.
"Better we part now." Said Gourry.
"I'll go and rent a ship for four and in the mean time Shadow will get a couch for three and Amelia the nessesery papers." Stated Phyria.

"Amelia, Gourry, Zelgadis, Sylphil. *Greeted Phil the group* Where is Lina and who is she?" Looked over to Angela.
"Father there is--" Started Amelia.
"I know it is impolitle to interrupt someone, but we need papers for ship and land travelling and it's a looong story and we have short time." Said Zelgadis.
"Hmmm, I will grant them in the name JUSTICE and HONOR---" Phil like her daughter was a little carried away from the actual theme.
"Could it be quick? We need to get it right away."
"Well, there is a ship ready to sail for Ky and it could take the rest of you towards the coast, where you wanted to go, right?"
"Hmmm 'a' ship? Not more ships?"
"Actually it is the only ship that sails to Ky. Because the serpent dragon is terrifying the seas of the western coast."
"Is it a woman look-alike beast?" Asked Gourry.
"Yes, why? Anyway, go and talk with the captain of the ship. His name is Volun I thi--."
Gourry run off screaming. "I won't go!! Never, never, never, never, neveeeer!!!"
"What is his problem?" Asked Angela.
"I'm not completely sure. but there is something what happened long ago." Said Amelia.
"It must be very bad if Gourry-sama is remembering it." Said Sylphil.
"Phil. Could you lend a couch to us untill we reach the seaport?" Stood up Zelgadis.
"well..."
"Father. I Amelia Will Tesla---"
"Amelia. *Aborted Angela* I think that your father agreed."
"Father."
"Daughter."
*hug* "Well. I grant my word and a coach with passports. Everything will be ready in a hour. Untill that I advice that you search out this Volun." Said Phil.
"I'll go and search for the rest of us." Said Angela.

*Later in the coach*
"Gourry-san, why did you run off?" Asked Amelia.
"Did I?" Wondered the warrior. Sweatdrops on everybody else.
"Anyway, Phil managed a ship for us. It will have two destinations. First it will bring Phyria, Gourry, Sylphil and me to Ky. Then Shadow, Angela and Amelia will then continue to the northern region." Said the chimera.
"And Lina?" Asked Gourry.
"Oh, Lina will have the Grey Emblem of the Spirit soon." Said Xellos from the coaches leader post.
"Guess Lina went into the barrier, eh?"
"Yeah, but Lina-chan isn't alone...."
"Don't say anything, will you acompany us or just popped for a short time?"
"Just wanted to show this to Gourry," Xellos gave a pile of pics to the warrior and vanished.
"What is it Goury-sama?" Asked Sylphil.
"It shows Lina fighting a dragon and Lina together with a hlf dragon." Answered he.
"Gourry, I think that the dragon is Kage and the half dragon is is Lina." Said Zelgadis.
"Huh? Lina and Lina, Lina is not Lina?" Gourry got confused.
" ... I don't want to disturb, but if Xellos-san isn't driving the coach, who does it?"
"Noone." NOdded Gourry.
*sweatdrops on everyone* "That means---" A long scream and then crash.
Zelgadis climbed out of the wreckage.
"The horses are gone, we don't know where we are and ... Xellos is here."
"Oh, don't be so dissapointed Zel-kun. The harbor is that away." Smiled  the priest.
"Is there something in the way?"
"Well we could   go in the Woods if Despair for a half day or there is a way around for two weeks."
"Woods of Despair? Why is it called so?"
"Because it is a multi levelled maze with multiple entrances." Said Shadow.
"We can overcome the maze in five minutes." Said Zelgadis.
"Zelgadis-san, are you sure?" Asked Amelia.
"Yeah, Xellos like to play jokes, but I was here once and explored the place and *pulls out an old map* I drew this." Showed it Zelgadis.

*Three days later*
"Five minutes?" Asked Phyria exhausted, frightened and finally out of the maze.
"How could Zel-kun know that the woods of Despair changes for every incoming person." Smiled Xellos.
"And why did you inform us in the last minutes?" Asked the panting Amelia.
"Because he only then noticed Helix is in our wake." Answered Shadow.
"Anyway, I must pay a visit to Lina-chan." Xellos vanished.
"Well, there is the harbor." Gourry started to walk towards it.
"Zelgadis, did you notice?" Asked Shadow.
"Yes."
"Shadow-san what didn't we notice?" Asked Amelia.
"I think Shadow-sama meant that all ships except that one are either destroyed or missing." Said Angela.
"Gourry-sama, where did you got those?" Asked Sylphil.
"This? I don't know." Answered the warrior while attached Shadow's formely worn red cloack and mask.
"And why do you wear those?" Asked Zelgadis.
"Now I remember." Said Amelia.
"Remember what?" Asked Gourry.
"Zelgadis-san. Do you remember when Eris had set bloodmoney out on Lina-san, Gourry-san and on you Zelgadis-san?"
"Yes."
"We needed to get to Sairaag and in a town Lin-san had the idea of change clothes. We changed our outfit and dressed Gourry-san like a girl."
"That's why the outburst at Feminya." Said Zelgadis.
Gourry, poking the ground. "I don't want to remember."
"The town was full with mecenaris who haunted a serpent dragon with sanked ships. Lina-san managed to get us on a ship. The captain was called Volun. This captain fell in love with Gourry-san and wanted him as bride, when he detected that Gourry-san is male, he didn't stop and chased him still around." Finished Amelia the tale.
Gourry still poking the ground with a stick." I won't go."
"Gourry Gabriev, you could hide in the meanwhile." Said Shadow.
"I will, I don't want that Vacuum guy to find me." Said Gourry. Sweatdropps on everyone.
"Right, Phyria let's go." Shadow walked towards the only ship.

*At the harbor of Ky*
Gourry wrapped in red cloak, Zelgadis, Phyria and Sylphil walked off the shipramp.
A,elia also cloaked winked towards the little group.
"I'm happy that Ballon guy didn't notice me or Amelia." Mumbled Gourry.
As the ships distance grew more and more Gourry asked.
"Guys, isn't it funny that the Sea Drake didn't attacked us?"
"It's Serpent Dragon and it is trully starnge." Answered Zelgadis.
"Do we know how does  this Serpent Dragon look like?" Asled Sylphil.
"It's huge, white male dragon dressed like a girl." Replied Gourry.
"Huh? Gourry-sama how do you know? Is that the dragon you met long ago?" Asked Sylphil.
"Yes and he's over there." Pointed the warrior past them.
"AAIEE!!" Fled the girls behind Gourry. Zelgadis stood still levitated high and  casted a Vahn Rehl at the dragon. Icy tendrils started to erupt from theshore and wrapped themselves at the dragon. The tentacles quickly froze the dragon in place.
"Just like Amelia said." Landed the chimera and stabbed a dagger into the dragon and casted a Digger Bolt onto it. The shock melted the ice and burned the dragon, wich ran off screaming. The chimera looked towards the amazed crowd of the city they were in and quickly pulled her hood over the head. ~I don't like this at all.~ Thought he.
"Let us rest, tomorrow we should start our search." Stated Phyria.
"Gourry-kun." Xellos appeared.
"What is it?" Asked Phyria.
Gourry accepted the pictures that Xellos handed over, after that He simply vanished.
"It's Lina, but she's a little different. Perhaps a new haircut?"
"It isn't Lina. It's her shadow." Echoed Xellos' voice.
"What do you mean by wierd?" Asked Zelgadis and looked into the picture.
It showed a bloodred haired, golden eyed sorceress, her hands were crimson taloned.

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     TO BE CONTINUED.
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