It was a peaceful scene. The sky was blue. The trees were green and full of life, swaying gently in the breeze. Birds chirped and squirrels played. This little section of the forest was it's own little piece of paradise.
Then a great ball of energy formed and slammed into the little garden. The trees were incinerated in the blast leaving withered stubs, reminiscent of giant matches. The birds roasted and the squirrels fried as the fire consumed them. When hell had left this paradise all that was left were the corpses of trees, a burnt out crater, and a confused boy at its center.
Blinking, Ruche Ran-Ran sat up and took a look around at the destruction. Taking a deep breath Ruche then opened his mouth. "WAHHH! YOKO WHERE ARE YOU! WAHHHH!"
Of all the luck, thought Schneider, I'm lost in a forest and stuck in this prepubescent body. At this rate I'll never get Yoko in bed. Letting out an exasperated mental sigh, Schneider continued to evaluate his situation. First things first. Shut up the stupid kid. Being trapped inside the little brat, Dark Schneider was at a loss at how to do that.
Nearby on the forest road to Saillune. A small group traveled. In the lead was a young girl. She had short black hair and wore white traveling clothes. Her walk was bouncing with energy. While she gave the world a smile of pure joy.
If the girl could be described as sugary bliss, then the figure that walked behind her was the opposite. He was swathed in a hooded cloak, a shade off white. His hood over shadowed his face and a mask hid his chin. Only a wisp of pale blue hair peeked out from those gloomy depths.
If one word could describe the next member of the group it would be angry. She seamed to be in a constant state of unpleasantness. Muttering about the treasures she could be getting instead of heading off to Saillune for some crazy job Phil had for her. Swatting a lock of red hair out of her eyes she continued on her unmerry way.
The last traveler in the group sported blue armor. His wild blond hair fell beyond his shoulders and he carried a sword at his side and smile on his face. The face of a man, who could look the most terrifying monster of the world in the face and say, "Are you going to eat that? Cause I'm hungry and I wouldn't want it to go to waste."
As this group progressed on its journey along the road, they were overcome with a deafening roar quickly followed by a flash fire.
VALIS WALL
The words chanted by the hooded member created a barrier that deflected the flames to either side of the group. After a minute the worst of the blaze had passed and the hooded member allowed the barrier to fall.
"Quick work Zel." The redhead said as she surveyed the charred logs that where once trees. A haze of smoke was now settling over the area and a few embers were still red hot.
Zel, their hooded companion, gave a wordless grunt in acknowledgment, as he continued to peer through the haze of the smoke for the source of the fire.
"WAAhh... YOOoo... KOOoo..."
"What the..."
"Someone is in trouble. We, the heroic forces of... *hack* *cough* *cough* ... of just... *cough* This smoke... *wheeze*
DIEM *cough* *cough* CLAW
Air currents began to form around the perky brunet. As her cloak began to rise, a funnel of smoke formed, and began to tower above her. After a few seconds the air was clear of the smoke so she let the spell dissipate.
"Nice Amelia," said the redhead in a tone most commonly used to describe her chest.
"Thank you Miss Lina. I've..." Amelia started completely missing the tone of Lina's voice.
"Now everyone within 10 leagues knows where we are! Including whoever started that blast."
"But Miss Lina, someone is in trouble. And we, the virtuous heroes of justice, must give them aid. FOR JUSTICE." With her final cry Amelia set off into the charred remains of the forest. Trails of smoke and soot in her wake.
"Amelia wait up. Damn. Well come on guys let's go retrieve Little Miss Justice before she makes a bigger nuisance of herself." The Lina said.
"Is that even possible." Asked Zel.
"Must we?" Said the blond
"Why not let her go on her crusade. She'll catch up later." Zel said in an exasperated tone,
"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 Lina.
"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 on, jelly head."
With that the three travelers went after their more enthusiastic companion. While behind a tree, a slightly charred figure smiled. "This should be fun." Brushing some soot from his tunic he quietly followed the others.
The sight that greeted Amelia at source of the disturbance, was not what she was prepared for. A young boy, approximately eight years old, was curled in a ball at the center of the crater. Bawling his eyes out.
"WAAHH! WAAHH! WAAHH! WAAHH!"
She had faced Mazoku, the Demon Beast Zanifar, Chaos Dragon Gav, and Fibrizo lord of the dead. "Um, ah... Little boy, are you... all right." Obviously these trials had left her ill prepared for the horror that was a sobbing child.
The young boy continued cry showing little sign that he had heard Amelia.
"Hey calm down. Stop crying please. Please stop." Amelia desperately tried to abate the sobbing boy. If for no other reason than to give her ears a rest.
"There you are Amelia. What's the..." Lina Started to say before she was stopped by a tackle hug.
"YOOOOOKOOOOO!!" The boy exclaimed as he tried to cuddle up to Lina.
"Get this thing off of me!"
"Yoko? You've gotten smaller."
"You little brat. I'll..."
"Wait, you are not Yoko. YOKO WHERE ARE YOU!!"
"Calm down," Lina said through clenched teeth as she clamped her hand over the kid's mouth," and we will help you find Yoko, OK." Slowly removing her hand Lina let out a sigh when she realized he would not start crying again. Offering her hand, "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 their blank expressions Ruche shrank back into his overly large clothes and started crying again.
Damn, he starting to cry again, Lina thought. Wrapping him in a hug, Lina started pulling that old Inverse charm. "Now, now don't cry Ruche. I'll help you find Yoko. I promise I'll find her."
"This is creepy. Lina is being nice."
"I knew Lina was good inside and this proves it."
"You're overreacting Amelia. She would have said anything to stop his crying. If anything it's maternal instinct" Zelgadis said sarcastically.
"What's mating in sink?"
"Feeling better now?"
Ruche nodded.
"Then we have a quest." Lina said as she stood up pulling Ruche after her. Then just as she released her hug Lina gave Ruche a kiss on his cheek. Unexpectedly 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!!"
Hiding behind a tree Xellos's eyes widened in surprise. And he spat out the mouthwash he was using to get rid of the sweet sugary taste the scene before him had given him. That power, it was dark, chaotic, and completely unknown to him, yet strangely familiar. This was getting more interesting by the moment.
Now standing where 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 went from astonished to fuming in nanoseconds, 2.5 to be exact.
"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 little girl. 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...*
Leaning against a tree their shadow's eyes widened. He was using 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..."
"Impressive, little girl. You show potential." The figure's eyes then rolled back into his head and he folded at the knees collapsing into a heap. 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.
End Part 1