*

FILIONEL: And in conclusion my fellow rulers, whom I have gathered here. One thing is now clear! The disappearance of the Mazoku's barrier, inside of which we have lived for the past thousand years, is now an indisputable fact!

RULER #1: If the Mazoku's barrier is gone, doesn't that mean we can now travel to the outer world?

RULER #2: But... for a barrier we've never had any means of destroying before to suddenly vanish...!

FILIONEL: Look for yourselves. That piller of light we see is only one piece of evidence that the barrier has vanished.

RULER #2: But what IS that pillar of light?

FILIONEL: I don't know.

RULER #3: The legends and literature we are familier with say nothing of such phenomena.

RULER #4: I hope it doesn't fortell some calamity is about to happen.

RULER #5: Exactly! We can't just sit back and ignore it! The kingdoms of the outer world may be preparing to launch an invasion!

FILIONEL: For that reason! We of the Kingdom of Saillune propose the dispatching of a peace delegation! I ask for the cooperation of the other kingdoms in this endeavor!

AMERIA: Now, then, in my father's place, I, Ameria Wil Tesla Saillune will explain this plan to you all.

*

LINA: Aaah! Hold it, Gourry! I grabbed that sashimi for myself!

GOURRY: What're you talking about, Lina?! It goes bad if you don't eat it fast!

LINA: Man, you gotta love seaport food! This fish is fantastic!

GOURRY: Really! Really! It's the best!

LINA: Ah! I am feelin' satisfied! Considering we haven't been to the outer world in a thousand years, those ships are pretty small.

GOURRY: You think so? By the way, Lina, can I ask you something?

LINA: Here it comes...

GOURRY: What's the "outer world?"

LINA: Ooh...! You're asking me AGAIN, poached eggs for brains?! Okay, listen up! This is the area we live in, got it? And the coast of this kingdom is where we are now. Until now, we've never left this area; but since the situation's now changed, we have to go investigate what the outer world's like. That's why a bunch of different kings are sending out a delegation.

GOURRY: You sure know a lot about this.

LINA: You must have heard all the talk about it before now!

GOURRY: Have I?

LINA: Yeah, you have!

GOURRY: So why hasn't anyone gone out there before now?

LINA: You're missing the basic problem, aren't you? Okay, I may be wasting my time, but I'll explain it to you. One thousand years ago, the dark lord Shabranigudo was reborn in the War of the Mazoku's Fall. Ever since then, there's been a high-level magical barrier around this region we live in that the dark lord's followers erected. Because of it, going out to or coming in from the outer world has been impossible. However, this era has seen a dramatic change arise! Due to the exploits of a beautiful sorcery genius, the dark lord's faithful servant Fibrizo has been destroyed! As a result, the barrier around our land has disappeared, and travel to the outer world is now possible!

GOURRY: Wow... Must've been some sorceress.

LINA: ME, you idiot! I was talking about ME! Besides that, there's also that pillar of light... Ever since it happened, we've been able to see that pillar of light.

GOURRY: I wonder what it is.

ZELGADISS: Good grief, you two never change.
(Lina and Gourry are sitting around a table they killed.)

ZELGADISS: I haven't seen you guys in a while.

LINA: Zel!

GOURRY: Zelgadiss!

*

LINA: It has been a while since then, hasn't it? You doing all right, Zel?

ZELGADISS: I suppose. And you guys? I can't imagine you two ever looking sad.

LINA: Are you looking for a fight so soon after getting here?!

ZELGADISS: Uh, no.

GOURRY: So, did you come to see the boats sail off to the outer world, too, Zel?

ZELGADISS: Yeah...

LINA: Oh! Lemme guess! You're thinking there might be some magical item in the outer world that can cure your body, right?

ZELGADISS: Yeah... Well, with a body like mine...

LINA: Yeah. It's hard for you, isn't it?

ZELGADISS: It's nothing. I'm patient.

LINA: But they're sending deligates from lots of kingdoms, right? Can you just slip in with them?

ZELGADISS: Maybe. And if that doesn't work, I can try taking my own boat.

LINA: I see you haven't lost that never give up spirit.

ZELGADISS: So, what are you guys doing here, anyway?

LINA: Well, we're here to check out an offer I got in this letter.

ZELGADISS: An offer?

LINA: I've never heard of the person who sent it to us, but the pay they're offering can't be beat! I'm prepared to find out it's all a prank, though.

(bells ring)

LINA: Who's there?

GOURRY: Huh?!

FILIA: I am the one who sent that offer.

LINA: You mean, you're...?

FILIA: Yes, I am the "Filia" who sent you that letter, Lina-san. And you must be Zelgadiss Graywords-san. And you, Gourry Gabriev-san.

GOURRY: Uh?!

ZELGADISS: So, you've done some checking up on us.

FILIA: Yes, at least as far as how you destroyed Hellmaster Fibrizo.

LINA: Now I get it... So, knowing what you do about us, what kind of offer do you have?

FILIA: Well...

GOURRY: Hn?!

FILIA: I have come to talk to you to confirm how powerful you really are.

ZELGADISS: How powerful we are?

LINA: For what, exactly?

FILIA: Well, you see- Huh?!

(Gourry lifts up Filia's skirt.)

LINA: W-WWW-What are you doing, Gourry?!

GOURRY: Huh? Oh! It... It's not what you think! I was just looking in here!

FILIA: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!
(smacks Gourry with mace)

LINA: What... What... What just happened?!

(Filia sobs and drops her mace as she runs off.)

*

GOURRY: Uuuuh... Ow...!

LINA: Hmpf! Serves you right for pulling a stunt like that!

GOURRY: But, I'm telling you...! Ow-ow-ow-ow...!

LINA: You gutless...!

ZELGADISS: But why did you...? You know, do that? Were you really that interested in flipping her skirt up?

GOURRY: F-flipping her skirt?! Don't be ridiculous! I just wanted to see what was in there!

ZELGADISS: Isn't that usually the point of flipping a girl's skirt?

GOURRY: NO! I saw a tail!

LINA: A tail?

GOURRY: Yeah! That girl had a tail!

ZELGADISS: Hm... And that's why you looked under her skirt. I see. I thought you'd finally given up on Lina for not being sexy at all and were finally going after another girl.

LINA: Hold it, buddy! What's that supposed to mean?!

(throws mace to Lina)

LINA: Eh?
(catches mace- sort of)
LINA: Uaaaah! What is this thing?! It weighs a ton!

ZELGADISS: Besides being very attractive, that girl swung this around without breaking a sweat. Meaning, at the very least, she's special somehow.

LINA: Well, we can't be too shocked at running into someone with a tail in this world. There are werewolves and fish people, right?

ZELGADISS: A girl with a tail is a VERY suspicious person, though.

GOURRY: Do you also get the feeling we're involved in big trouble now?

LINA: Uh... I guess so. I wonder if we'll even get that money she promised.

*

FILIONEL: My fellow inhabitants of this land! For the first time in a thousand years, we will set foot into the outer world! At the moment, we cannot know what is going on out there. Will we be greeted with good will? Or will it be just the opposite? Countless dangers may await us there! But equal in number to the dangers... No, in GREATER number, are new possibilities! And so now we take that first step out to find them!

AUDIENCE: Yeah!

AMERIA: Bring forth the map! To avoid the desert that stretches to the south of us, our fleet will be sailing south from this coast. Our flagship will be the "Suifeed" from the Holy Kingdom of Saillune.

(rest of cast in audience)

GOURRY: What do you know! The guy who put this delegation together was Phil-san!

LINA: Hey, isn't that Ameria over there? Look, Zel! It's Ameria! Ameria! Ameria! It's me! It's me!

AMERIA (shuddering and twitching): It... It couldn't be. I'm just hearing things. That must be it.

GOURRY: Looks like she can't hear us.

LINA: Fine! We'll just catch up with her later, and when we do...!

ZELGADISS: I suppose, but... What about that girl Filia from yesterday? Things have gotten a bit hazy since then.

FILIA: I'm right here if you want me.

ZELGADISS: Uh?

LINA: Filia?

GOURRY: Uh, the tail woman...?!

FILIA: Look, about yesterday. I'm terribly sorry.

LINA: This girl is definately someone special.

LINA (whispering to Gourry): Hey! There's no tail on her!

GOURRY: She definately had one when I saw her!

LINA: You aren't lying, are you?

FILIA: Excuse me. I believe I forgot something when I left yesterday. Might you still have it?

ZELGADISS: You mean this thing?

FILIA: Ah! Thank you so much! For a while I didn't know what I'd do! Oh, thank goodness! Anyway, might we continue our talk from yesterday?

LINA: Sure. It was about a job that paid a special guarantee, right?

ZELGADISS: A favor beyond just finding out how powerful we are.

FILIA: Yes. That is why I am going to have to test all of your power.

LINA: Huh? Huh? Huh? Hold it! Hold it! What...?!

GOURRY: She disappeared.

ZELGADISS: Test our powers? What is she planning?

LINA: Aaargh. I guess she really is someone special.

FILIONEL: In the name of Justice and Saillune, take to the sea!

AMERIA: Take to the sea!

SAILOR: Set sail!

(Lina comes up to Ameria)

AMERIA: Eeeeeeee!

LINA: Hey there, Ameria! Long time, no see!

AMERIA: Li- Li- Li...!
(throws on mask)
AMERIA: Ohohoho! Who are you? I don't think we've ever met!

LINA: What are you talking about? Hey!

FILIONEL: Oh, Lina-donno!

LINA: Phil-san!

*

FILIA (changing into Dragon form): Aaaaaaaaaaaah!

*

AMERIA: L- Lina-san... I'm doing official business. Can we talk later?

LINA: Why so unfriendly all of a sudden?

PRIEST: A Golden Dragon!

FILIONEL: Geh... Why NOW, of all times?!

LINA: Hold it! Is this the test of our powers?

AMERIA: What?! You mean this is your fault?!

ZELGADISS: Yes, it seems there's no doubt about it!

(Filia comes zipping down)

GOURRY: Look out!

ZELGADISS: It's pretty certain we're the Dragon's targets!

LINA: What's it thinking? Doing this with so many people around!

GOURRY: What'll we do?

LINA: There's only one thing TO do! Let's go, Gourry! Zel! Ameria!

ZELGADISS: Of course! The ship!

LINA: All right! We'll lead that thing into open sea!!

AMERIA: Why do I have to get caught in all this?!

LINA: Gourry! Take the wheel!

GOURRY: Right!

CAPTAIN: Hold it! This is MY ship! My ship is like a part of my own body! You can't just take it!

(Filia zips directly over the ship)

CAPTAIN (rowing with crew away from the ship): She's all yours!

LINA: Man, now THOSE guys are honest with themselves!

GOURRY: Saillune sailors aren't that tough, are they?

AMERIA: I will! I'll take command! All hands, take positions! Signal the other ships! Justice is with us! All ships, defensive formation! Take us to combat speed one! Deploy oars!

GOURRY (stuck with rowing): Why me?!

LINA: Here it comes!

AMERIA: Combat speed two!

GOURRY: Eeee! Eeeeeeeeee!

AMERIA: Prepare anti-air defenses! Sorcerer team, forward!

SORCERERS: Yes!

AMERIA: FIRE!!!

SORCERERS: FIRE...BALL!

(Filia opens her mouth)

LINA: Laser breath!

AMERIA & ZELGADISS: BURST FLARE!!!

(Laser breath is stopped, but with much recoil)

LINA: UWAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

ZELGADISS: Golden Dragons are as tough as I've heard!

LINA: It's making a fool of me!

GOURRY: Is that my cue?!

GOURRY: Light, come forth!

(Filia dodges beam, which hits another ship)

GOURRY: UWAAAAAAAAH!!!

LINA: What do you think you're doing?!

(Filia shoots laser breath again)

AMERIA: UWAAAAAH! It's coming right for us!

LINA: It's not playing around. Okay, fine! Then I'm not gonna pull any punches either! RUNE FLARE!

(Filia blasted with flames)

LINA: All right! It worked!

(flames dissipate)

AMERIA: Lina-san!

LINA: Leave this to me! Gourry! Hard to port!

GOURRY (turning wheel): Which way is "port?!"

LINA: No! Other way! Other way! Yahaaa! Uh?! SEA BLAST!

AMERIA: Look! It's running away!

LINA: Oh, no, you don't! After it! Hard to port!

GOURRY (English): Aye, aye, sir!

LINA: Darkness beyond twilight, crimson beyond blood that flows... buried in the flow of time... In thy great name, I pledge myself to darkness! Let all the fools who stand before us be destroyed by the power you and I possess! DRAGON SLAVE!

(Filia disappears just before the spell hits her)

LINA (English): Victory!

AMERIA: You did it, Lina-san!

ZELGADISS: Lina won't even lose face to a Golden Dragon.

GOURRY: Eh!

GOURRY and ZELGADISS: Euhhh!

LINA: Anyway, let's get back to port fast so I can find that Filia girl- Kehhhhh! -and REALLY make her pay for this!

G, Z, and A: Tsuna... Tsuna... Tsuna... Tsuna...

LINA: Tsuna? TSUNAMI!!!

FILIONEL: WHAT'S HAPPENING?!

FAB 4: Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!

*

AMERIA: All I can see is ocean. All the other ships must have been sunk!

LINA: Uh-huh...

ZELGADISS: Dammit! There's nothing to be done.

AMERIA: Uwah!

LINA: Now what?

AMERIA: L- look...

LINA (looking through scope): Hm? Th- that's the port we just left?

AMERIA: I think the tsunami your Dragon Slave caused must have...

LINA: It's a total mess... Ah-ha...

AMERIA: What do we do, Lina-san?

LINA: All right! It's decided! We run-- Uh, I mean, we set out for the outer world!

AMERIA: EHHH?!

LINA: The ships destination hasn't changed! We shall carry on and take our first step into an unknown world!

GOURRY: Are you sure about this?

AMERIA: We could still Ray Wing our way back, you know!

LINA: Oh, quit whining! You guys want to see the outer world, too, right? Ameria, you want to spread Justice and fight evil there, right?

AMERIA: Y-yes...

LINA: And Zelgadiss, I KNOW you want to go!

ZELGADISS: Yes, I'm the sort who's always chasing his dreams.

LINA: And you, Gourry?

GOURRY: Hm... Well, I guess I'll tag along.

LINA: Okay, now the world's our stage as we set off for a new journey! LET'S GO!

AMERIA: Lina-san!

LINA: Didn't you hear me?! A new journey!

FAB 4: LET'S GO!

LINA: Say it louder!

*

LINA: Huh?! Say what?! We're the representatives of the human race?! What do you mean we have to save the world?! Next time: "Doubtful? A Letter From Home!" You'd better watch, or I'll REALLY cause some trouble!