Nightmares

by: Megumi-chan
Disclaimers: I don't own them!
Summary: The beggining of the biggest nightmare of the Slayers group
is about to fulfill when Gourry's past comes back to hunt him.


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	At the zero hour of the night, when ghost and lost souls 
gathered in the lands to lament their own saddness a shout was heard 
from the castle above the small town of the fountains.  Running through
the dark halls General Paul forced the doors that lead to the Queen's 
room open.  The huge mirror in the middle of the room was broken.  
Pieces had fallen to the ground around where the Queen was kneeling,
crying.  The room was empty, except from them both.  In seconds maidens
and servants appeared behind him, bringging guards.
	'Your highness?'
	'Leave, for your own sake, please leave.'
	'Your highness what is wrong?'
	Raising her eyes, two long lines of red ran down her face.  Her
eyes had gone completly black, they shone with something hidden deep
within her, something evil.  Backing away the maidens that had served
long enough to know what those eyes meant, turned and ran, screaming.
Paul stood still, he's breathing had turned soft and slow.  
	'Can't you see what's happening to ME?!'
	She walked towards him and grasped his coat and shirt.  She
looked insane.  Taking her hands from him, Paul hoped that what he was
about to do worked.
	'Your highness, please forgive me.'
	'Wha...'  Before she could finish he slapped her, sending her to
the floor.  She fell unconcious and lowering his face so his hair covered his
eyes, Paul put her on the bed, wishing things hadn't gone so bad with
them.

	'Listen to me!' Screamed Paul riding his horse from side to side,
looking at his army.  'We are looking for Gourry Gabriev!  We must find
him soon or else!  Now go!'  The army dissapeared through the gates and
Paul moved to leave when his ears picked up the sound of water running.
	'Imposible!'  Forcing his horse to gallop, he ran towards the
fountain.  

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Running trough the crowd Zelgadiss made his way towards the hotel they 
were all staying.  Night was falling and the street was beggining to clear 
up, but there was way to much people in the streets.  Even now at this
time of the night, people still gather around the fountain.  If they knew what
he knew everybody would run out of the town, in fear.  Stopping in front of
the hotel Zelgadiss hurried inside and found Lina, Amelia and Xellos in one
of the tables.  As usual Lina was stuffing her face, while Amelia 
sweatdropped and watched.  Xellos was having some strawberry 
shortcake and hot chocolate.  'Where's Gourry?'
	He tried to soud casual, but apparently it didn't work.  Worried
Lina stood from the table and ignored the food.  'Why?  Is something 
wrong?'	
	'No, why?'  He asked trying to sound as the usual self, it seemed
to work, but it gain a look from Xellos.  
	'He said he was going to sleep early.'
	'Thanks.'
	Walking as quickly as possible, Amelia sweatdropped.  'What's
wrong with him?'
	The two girls turned to Xellos, who sweatdropped and smiled.
	
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After looking in their room, Zelgadiss found Gourry gone.  He wasn't in
the batroom, or the closet.  A little desperate and worried, Zelgadiss turned
to see outside the window.  Gourry was outside surrounded by imperial
guards.  They were all pointing at him with long spears and what appered
to be their commander had unsheated his sword.  Gourry was still, his eyes
seemed to scan the area, finding no way out.
	'No!'
	Screamed Zel as if the guards could hear him.  Running out of
the room and towards the street, Zel used his demon speed to be there 
even faster.  Noticing the blur Zel's speed left in the hotel Xellos stood up
quickly.  Walking outside without saying one word.  Frowning her eyes
Lina stood up and calling for Amelia ran outside.  
	'Let's see what's going on!'
	'Lina-san!  Wait.'  Amelia ran outside, trying to keep up with both
Xellos and Lina.  

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Zel made it just in time to cut a spear that was moving towards Gourry from 
behind.  Cutting it in two Zelgadiss stood against Gourry's back.  Although
the swordsman didn't seem to acknowledge him, Zel knew Gourry was
greatful.  'Who are you?'
	'I'm a friend of his.'
	'Don't you know we are the imperial guards of this city?  Move
or be moved!'
	'I won't leave his side!  He is my friend after all, and he woulnd't
leave my side!'
	Gourry was moved by his words but he didn't show, at least not
yet.  Standing in a fighting stance, both Gourry and Zelgadiss, waited for
the first brave man to attack.  Suddenly a slight movement caught Gourry's
eye and when he turned a whip cracked, holding his arm.  Pulled with the
strengh of ten men Gourry flew through the air and landed in dirt.  The rest
of the men attacked Zelgadiss and as he swinged his sword and kicked his 
way out of the crowd Gourry looked up at the man in horse that had 
pulled him.
	'Paul-san!'
	'Finally.  I've been looking around for you, Gourry-san.'
	'Stop this! Paul!'
	'Zelgadiss-San!'  Amelia came running towards the huge crowd
and rose her hands. 'Flare Bits!'  The magic flew around, and hitted the
men over Zelgadiss.  Taking his chance to escape Zelgadiss ran out and
completly ignoring Lina, Amelia and Xellos' stare, ranning towards Gourry.
	'Gourry!'
	'Step Back!'  The men over the horse was still holding Gourry
tightly by his arm.  Pulling each time he felt Paul pulled Gourry, frowned.
	'Step back, Zel.  This is my fight!'
	'Ok, but don't turn into your old self, ok?'
	'Gatcha.'  Frowning at Zelgadiss, Lina walked towards him.
	'And what is going one?'  She said with a sly grin.  
	'Something that is not for me to say, Lina.  At least not now.'

	Looking at Paul, Gourry's eyes turned cold.  'Gourry-san?'
Amelia had come to help Zelgadiss, and after he stood up, she looked
at Gourry and tried to call for him, but he didn't answer.  Touching her 
shoulder Zelgadiss shook his head.  "Not now." His eyes said.
	'It's time for you to return to our queen, Gourry.'
	'Tell your queen that for her own well I left, and I don't intent to
return to her!'
	'Nosense.  She knows you are here and for that she had begun
her transformation.'
	'What?'  Gourry was horrorized.  Letting the whip pull him to the 
ground he heard the horse run and his body was dragged through the
darkness of the plaza.  Driving him towards the stone floor, Gourry felt the
skin of his face cutting with the hard floor.  Paul kept running in the horse
and pulling Gourry.  Finally he spotted the fountain of stones and stopping
the horse pulled at Gourry.  
	Gourry's senses became alert.  When he was about to move, 
his back hitted hard stone.  

	Amazed Lina and company stared.  Growing mad Lina rose her
sleeves.  'Nobody treats Gourry like that!  Only me!'  Preparing a Dragon
Slave Lina felt drops of water touching her skin.
	Letting the Dragon Slave dissapear she fell to ther knees, 
looking up at the fountain, where crystal clean water flowed freely.

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