"Okay, let me get this straight... You four were on one of Sailoon's ships to the New World when you were caught in a tempest. Ameria, Zelgadis, and Gourry were all swept away by the sea and Lina was stranded alone in the ship. Ameria washed up at Doma where she went into the care of Cyan and Gau. She did royal duties for the king since they have communication with her kingdom on the other continent. Ameria thought everyone else was dead so Cyan sent me a letter telling me to bring her back home to Sailoon.
"Gourry washed up near the caves of Narshe where the snow men found him and took him into the care of the moogles who lived in the mountains. After he was healed he discovered that Zelgadis had been saved by Terra when she found him as she was watching the ocean. So you two met again and Terra sent me to bring you home as well.
"Lina and the ship were washed up at Nikeah's harbor where Locke used his powers of Phoenix to save her life. Lina was charged of murder on board the ship while she was in particle shock. After Locke helped her she came out of it and explained everything to the Elder. Afterwards Locke sent me a letter to help bring her home.
"Shilfiell, who also comes from the same continent and is loyal friends with the team of four is a priestess. She came here to study the life forms called espers to see if they had any link to the Mazokus on their continent. She came here with another group of travelers by sea. Celes offered her to stay with her in Maranda and see what the real empire states are like. After all of her studies Shilfiell wanted to go home early before the next boats showed up so Celes sent me to bring her home in my airship.
"Zelos is a warrior who sometimes fights at Lina's side against the Mazokus. Apparently he says one of them has escaped over here and wants to stop it before it wreaks havoc or draws other monsters over here as well. While travelling he stumbled upon Relm and Strago who offered to take him in. Still unable to find the Mazoku Relm sent me to take him safely home.
"Firia is another humble priestess who was on her way to the New World when she got lost and wound up here in Figaro. Edgar and Sabin allowed her to stay with them and sent me to take her to the New World for her studies... Am I right?" Setzer went on. Everyone around him nodded. They all sat around Edgar's conferencing table with everyone explaining their stories.
"They've been through a lot. Why not stay here for the night and set out home tomorrow. You guys should visit up with each other some more," Edgar offered. They all nodded thankfully. "It has been awhile since all of us Returners have been together."
"I know! Why don't we hold a royal ball here in the palace tonight in the honor of the Slayers fighters and the Returners being reunited!" Sabin suggested.
"That's a great idea! Then we'll all get to know them," Terra said while smiling. Locke put his arm around Celes.
"I guess we haven't hit the dance floor in awhile. Sounds good to me," everyone nodded. Edgar stood.
"Good then. I'll show you all to your rooms. It will take awhile for the servants to help you find some clothes to wear tonight but we should be able to find some old ball clothes around here somewhere," Edgar signaled them to follow him out of the conferencing room. "I'm sure that there isn't enough space for each of you to have your own room. You'll have to share. I'll put The Returners in our other guestroom section. You will all have to share rooms as well," he continued.
Cyan gazed down at Gau who was glaring over at Zelgadis. Ameria was clinging to his arm affectionately. Gau grunted.
"She like that-that rock more than me... Gau never even came to think that she already had someone that she liked... That she had such old, handsome boyfriend..." He sighed. "Why can Gau no just come up and tell her? It's driving me crazy! After tonight she's going to leave and Gau never even see her again! What Gau do then?" He asked himself in a soft moan. Cyan put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Never give up on your dream. Love is still young and sweet, right?" He gazed over at Ameria. "If you really like her than just go up and say so. You never know, they might just be close friends so she wants to hang onto him for awhile. You have to consider that she was ship-wrecked and thought that all of her friends were gone," he paused. "Besides he looks a little irritated with her if you ask me."
"I'm sorry to hear about your ship. I'm upset that our honeymoon was ruined myself. I hope you're okay," Martina said to Lina in a friendly voice. Lina smiled back at her in reply as they walked side by side down the hall.
"I'm fine thanks to Locke's comfort that is. I'm just glad that everyone else is okay. I wasn't at all expecting to see you, Zangulas, or Shilfiell here. I'm glad that we'll all get to meet again," Lina replied. Martina pointed over at Firia with a curious face.
"Say, who is she?" She asked. Lina shook her head.
"I'm not quite sure..." She replied wearily remembering her meeting with her before they had even gotten into the ship to Sailoon. She had teleported and... Lina shook the thoughts out of her mind and continued down the hall.
Edgar escorted them down the next hall and stopped them in front of the guestrooms.
"Okay, Lina, Shilfiell, and Ameria can use this room. Martina and Firia can stay in the next room down and... Gourry and Zangulas can stay here. Zelgadis and Zelos you use this one. Easy enough," Edgar instructed. Martina shook her head.
"I should really be with my husband!" She complained. She gazed over at Firia who looked so proper, gentle, and beautiful. She felt a spark of jealousy toward her already and she seemed so odd... Edgar shook his head.
"It's only for one night. You'll manage," he paused. "All the Returners follow me."
"Well, this is a good chance for me to start bugging you again isn't it?" Zelos said cheerfully to Zelgadis. He grunted in anger.
"Let's meet in my room for awhile to kind of sort everything out. Some of you haven't even met before," Lina suggested. Gourry nodded and led them all in. He sat beside Lina with Shilfiell at his other side. Lina gazed over at Zelos as he seated himself followed by Zelgadis.
"So, Zelos, what's with the lies? Why are you trying to sound so innocent when you're actually a Mazoku yourself?" Lina asked in an irritated voice. Firia gasped and stood up from her place on the floor.
"I thought I felt something weird about you! I knew it all along!" She exclaimed. Zelos grinned.
"What about you Miss Gold Dragon? Why doesn't the king know about that?" He asked. Her cheeks puffed out in anger. She reached for her skirt to draw her mace, but sat down at the small table and poured herself a cup of tea.
"None of your business! And if you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from me! If there's anything I hate its monsters! You and your people almost killed off ALL of my people!" She sulked. He laughed.
"I remember that! It was really fun too!" He said excitedly.
"Firia, you're that gold dragon we saw then?" Lina asked. She nodded.
"I'm a gold dragon priestess from the New World. Some terrible things are happening and I needed help to deal with them. After I heard that all of you defeated Phibrizo I came to your continent in search of you. I tested your power in my dragon form. Lina-san casted an incredible spell that couldn't be matched by any opponent, The Dragon Slave. If I hadn't teleported at that exact moment I would have been killed in the explosion. After that I came in search for you to tell you my problem.
"I was caught up in the storm winds and was blown here. I couldn't find you anywhere, but Edgar was kind enough to take me in. If he finds out that I'm a dragon he'll hate me and banish me from the kingdom for all time. And I've become very fond of him and his brother, Sabin," she said while blushing a bit.
"So, what's your problem?" Lina asked.
"Well... Over at the New World there are four weapons of light sealed about the island. No one has ever found them, but there is a great Mazoku beast named Arumeisu who wishes to collect these weapons and bring back the legendary dark lord Darkstar who worked under Shabranigdo. The last weapon needed for this ritual is the sword of light that Gourry-san carries. After all five weapons are brought together at the place where Sifede and Shabranigdo once fought their war; the gate to where Darkstar is sealed will open.
"Only Arumeisu's weapon and the Sword of Light are needed to open the gate, but to have full control of Darkstar you need all five weapons," Firia explained. Lina sighed.
"If all this is for real than all we have to do is beat this Arumeisu guy right? Easy!" Lina said simply. Firia shrugged.
"It's not that simple, Lina-san! Arumeisu is no weakling. On this planet his body hardly takes any damage from attacks. But out in space or on other planets his shield would take no effect and he would be a weakling. Besides that he has some very strong partners," she went on.
"What kind of partners?" Ameria asked curiously.
"Valgarb," Zelos interrupted. "He has great magic powers and is the top notch partner of Arumeisu, but he isn't very loyal to anyone. I've been searching for him for quite a time now. But I haven't found him here yet."
"Here? He's on Final Fantasy?" Firia asked.
"Probably so. To find the Sword of Light," he replied. Gourry hugged the sword tightly.
"Well, it's MY Sword of Light and I'll fight for it. No way they're going to use it to resurrect Darkstar!" he declared. "We can take them on right Lina?" He asked proudly. Lina sighed.
"They won't use MY Sword of Light for nothin'," she said sarcastically. Shilfiell turned to Firia with a worried look on her face.
"Is this all true? If they resurrect Darkstar there will be unstoppable destruction..." She said timidly. Firia sadly nodded.
"I can assure you that it is all true... I can't take this on alone... Please help me Lina." She pleaded softly. Zelos giggled.
"A gold dragon couldn't do ANYTHING on its own!" He commented. Firia gritted her teeth.
"I'd like to see YOU go out there and defeat Darkstar alone!" She backfired slyly. They both glared at each other for a long moment. Lina shrugged.
"I was going to go to the New World anyway, but still... I don't know if I'm up to it anymore... It's a pretty hard story to follow," she replied. "I've gone through so much just trying to make it there that I just don't have anymore motivation..."
"What will you do then? You can't let powers like yours waste away," Zangulas added in. Martina nodded.
"Come on, Lina-san! Don't let our wreck stop you! We're a team remember?" Ameria said cheerfully. "What do you say, Zelgadis-san?" She asked. He sighed.
"Darkstar or no Darkstar I'm going to the New World for a CURE. I'm not going to fight some evil dark lord. We've been through that scenario one too many times," he replied. Gourry put his hand on Lina's shoulder.
"Come on, kid. We can handle it. Firia seems very sure with herself, and if Zelos believes it too... Don't doubt them," he said to her comfortingly.
"Maybe..." She slightly smiled to herself. "Anyway, Firia meet Shilfiell, one of our travelling companions from the time we defeated Phibrizo. Shilfiell meet Firia," she introduced. Firia shook hands with her politely.
"You're a priestess too I see," Firia said in a friendly voice. Shilfiell blushed.
"I'm an excellent healer, but when it comes to flare arrows..." She stopped and giggled. Lina continued to introduce everyone who had not met. After all was said a servant sent for the female Slayers to meet downstairs to pick out their clothes. They all raised themselves to go and the servant led them out and down the halls. The Returner girls were already there picking out their ball gowns. Lina walked over to Celes.
"So, you're Locke's girlfriend, huh? He talked about you a lot," Lina commented to Celes in a friendly voice. She giggled.
"Is that so? He travels around so much that I thought he had a girlfriend in every town on Final Fantasy," she said in a sarcastic voice. Terra giggled.
"I had no idea that sorceress' dressed like that. I'd love to see what kind of powers you have," she said happily Lina grinned.
"You should try me sometime! I heard you're not bad yourself. Locke said that you're the Returners main fighter and that you can actually speak to the espers. Pretty nice talent you got there," she complimented. Terra blushed.
"I haven't fought in such a long time that I'm sure that I'm very rusty by now. The last time I fought I was with Zelgadis and I wasn't doing all that well. I could have protected him if I had practiced more or been more careful. I should have never tried to urge him to fight monsters that he wasn't used to since he comes from the other continent," she admitted shyly. Lina gently jabbed her stomach.
"Oh, so you and Zel have been keeping things to yourselves!" She said slyly. Ameria choked.
"Lina-san, don't say such things!" she looked over at Terra. "You two don't really have a relationship do you?" She asked shyly. Terra turned away.
"Nothing like that I can assure you!" She replied. "So, you're Lina and Ameria? Zelgadis told me all about how he travels with you and Gourry. I'm glad that I got a chance to meet you both," she said in a gentle voice. Lina and Ameria both shook hands with her. Celes did the same. Firia approached Relm who was looking through some of the smaller, red dresses. She smiled.
"Hey, there. You're going to the ball too? You'll look great in this," she said to her while pointing at a silky, red dress that was lined in small gold gems with a lovely veil. Relm picked it up and examined it carefully. Firia giggled. She loved children and couldn't wait for the day when she could raise some of her own. Relm looked so cute and clueless when it came to ball gowns that she had to laugh.
"I wonder if Big Brother would like it," she said in an unsure voice. Firia smiled at her.
"Who is that?"
"Well, not my REAL big brother. I call him that because I'm so attached to him."
"What a lucky man. Who?"
"Zelos, he stayed at my house!" Relm replied cheerfully. Firia choked.
"What would that little monster know about getting along with children? I can't believe it!" Firia thought to herself in a frantic voice. "Z-Zelos! You like Zelos?" She questioned. Relm nodded happily.
"He's so sweet and considerate! The kind of guy that you could always rely on! He said that he'd always protect me if anything went wrong. I trust him sincerely," she replied. Firia's eyes gleamed.
"A Mazoku being kind to a child? What kind of guy is this Zelos?" She thought. "I'd hate to think that he's lying to her..."
Lina tapped her on the shoulder.
"Firia, there's someone I want you to meet. Terra this is Firia, Firia this Terra. I think you two could get along very well," she stated in a happily. Firia smiled softly and offered her hand to Terra.
"How do you do?" Firia asked politely. Terra giggled as she took her hand. Firia felt a strange feeling in her chest. That feeling... She gazed down at her dragon jewel. It was gleaming a golden light. She gasped and tore away from Terra and ran out of the room. Lina had a perplex look on her face.
"Firia, that was rude. What's the matter?" Lina called after her. She was already gone. Ameria looked confused too. Celes gazed into Terra's eyes.
"What is it, Terra?" She asked softly.
"Nothing... Nothing at all," she replied.
"I'll kill him!" Gau complained. He sliced through the bed sheets violently with his claws growling like a dog. Cyan sighed.
"Acting violent won't help you win her heart back you know. What you can do is bathe before the party so that you look decent in front of her," Cyan replied. Gau shook his head persistently with his fangs sticking out of the sides of his mouth. Cyan grabbed him and carried him over his shoulder into the bathroom. "You are going to take a bath! You thus stink, Sir Gau."
"No! Put Gau down!" Gau screamed. Setzer sighed from across the room.
"Pathetic... So, he likes this Ameria girl..." He stated to himself. "She was so happy to see that other guy after the wreck. She was clinging to him more than Martina clings to Zangulas and their married... Oh, well, not my problem."
"Have a little compassion," Locke said. "Have you ever really fallen in love Setzer or have you just flirted?" He continued.
"I just flirt," Setzer replied. "You're lucky to have a great girl like Celes."
"You bet. Let's go get our outfits," Locke replied as they lazily pulled themselves up.
Downstairs Zelos, Gourry, Zangulas, and Zelgadis were already looking through clothing. Edgar and Sabin already had their own royal clothes so they were not down with the others. Cyan would be down with Gau soon, but you could already hear screams and splashing water from above in their room.
"What is that noise?" Zelgadis asked Locke.
"That's Cyan trying to give Gau a bath. He'll be down in a minute," he replied.
"You have odd people in your group..." Zangulas said to Setzer. He sighed.
"So do you," he said while gazing over at Zelgadis. Zangulus slightly laughed as Cyan descended the stairs with Gau still over his shoulder. Gau struggled and moaned as he set him down to look at the outfits. Cyan's clothes were wet and torn from Gau's claws in his violent attempts to get away. Cyan looked annoyed as well as Gau. Gau turned a glare over at Zelgadis who was carefully examining the outfits. Gau crawled over to his side.
"Gau no think rock man can fit in those," Gau commented rudely. Zelgadis did not reply. Gau shrugged.
"Interesting skin color... Green," Zelgadis said changing the subject. Gau stuck his fangs out from the sides of his mouth.
"Better than ROCK!" He yelled back. "And elf ears!" He continued. Zel glared at him.
"Sir Gau, please discontinued the rude comments please," Cyan interrupted. Zelgadis shrugged and turned away from him to continue looking. Gau picked out a navy blue outfit. He shyly poked Zelgadis for attention.
"You think Ameria like?" He asked holding the outfit up. He slowly nodded with a confused look on his face. Gau grinned and Zelgadis thought he saw him blushing as he crawled back up the stairs with Cyan rushing after him to scold him about scratching up the carpet. He slightly smiled.
"I see," Zel whispered as he felt himself start to laugh.
"Aren't you upset, Bro? Just think, after tonight Firia is going to leave and go home. Don't you care?" Sabin asked his brother. All the servants already set up the whole ball and Edgar and Sabin were finishing up putting out all of the food, already dressed up and prepared.
"Of course I'm upset, but what can I do about it? Ask her to marry me or something?" Edgar replied in a sarcastic voice. Sabin laughed and nodded.
"Think about it, Bro. We both care about her. Everyone in the palace loves her. She makes good decisions and could easily help rule a kingdom. She's strong so that she could help protect the kingdom. I don't see why she isn't perfect to be queen in your eyes," Sabin explained. Edgar shrugged.
"It's not that simple. I've only known the girl for three weeks! The party is about to start and everyone will be out soon," Edgar said changing the subject. "It might take a little while longer for the women though. They always take forever when they get ready."
"There's Locke and Setzer already," Sabin said while pointing up the stairs. "Think about what I said about Firia though, Bro. If you don't act on it you might lose her forever. Remember it," he continued. Edgar grunted as more people began to sworm into the ballroom.
"Lina-san, do you think I look okay?" Firia asked shyly. Her hair was pulled up in a dark patch of purple flowers in thin curls. Her dress was lined in violets and other purple flowers on the collar. The dress was a light, silky purple that ran to the floor. She still wore her dragon jewel within then bunch of flowers. Lina sighed.
"You look fine! Now quit stalling and get down there!" She said in an annoyed voice. Firia giggled.
"You look lovely yourself, Lina-san. That forest green color suits you," she added sweetly. Lina turned away and blushed. "You and Gourry-san make the perfect couple you know. I bet you'll dance all night! I'm hoping that I can strike at least one dance with the king."
"Not a chance that I'll go out to dance with that idiot. Besides, I can't dance let alone in skirts and high heels. I don't wear them all the time like you do. And might I add that you look very nervous about going down there," Lina replied. Firia gulped. "What was with you and Terra back there anyway?"
"Well..." She stopped and stayed silent as they reached the bottom of the staircase. Almost everyone was already down there already. "Everyone looks so wonderful in their fancy clothes" Firia commented trying to change the subject. "Ameria looks wonderful in that tone of blue. She's lovely!"
"Looks like she's got an admirer too," Lina said simply while gazing over at Gau who was secretly watching her from the back off the room blushing. "I'm really not the type for balls you know..."
"You'll be fine. Come on," Firia went into the crowd with Lina wearily following trying not to trip in her high heels only thankful that they made her look taller than she really was.
"Hey, Lina, they're about to start the first dance already! You almost missed the start of it," Locke called to her. She shrugged.
"I just want the big feast... I am not going to go out there and dance!" She complained. Martina laughed at her.
"Even I can dance and I'm incredibly clumsy!" She stated as she grabbed Zangulas's arm and pulled him onto the dancing floor. "Ask Gourry to dance," she continued. Lina grunted angrily. She gazed around the room.
Firia was already dancing with Edgar and looked very happy and charmed, blushing brightly as he swept her across the room. Ameria was trying to dance with Cyan even though he was so tall. Her midnight blue dress flowed out in silky strands that almost made her trip. The collar and short sleeves were lined in white roses that looked beautiful with the tone of her delicate skin. White roses where gently place in her hair that hung a light blue veil over her face so that you could still see her bright blue eyes peering at you.
Zelos on the other hand was leaning over to try to match Relm's height as they danced. Relm wore the gown that Firia had chosen for her. The gold gems gleamed in the light of the bright chandelier that hung above with lovely crystals. She had pulled her veil back so that Zelos could perfectly see her smile as they danced. Lina could hear them both laughing about something or the other. Zelos getting along with kids? Locke pulled on her shoulder.
"Come on. I'll show you," he said as she tugged out to the dancing floor. Lina began to complain as she noticed Shilfiell was paired up with Gourry. Shilfiell looked particularly good in white with her gentle gloved hands. Gourry looked very nice in his forest green suit. Lina blushed slightly as he passed her. He winked at her and she suddenly noticed that she did want to be in Shilfiell's place as they danced.
Terra was trying to urge Zelgadis out to dance as well, but he seemed reluctant and only poured himself a glass of Figaro wine. She giggled and left him to himself. Gau came up next to him but said nothing. He knew that he had to find the courage to ask Ameria out before he did but he found himself dumfounded even before he faced her. Zelgadis looked down at him.
"What's wrong? Not dancing?" He asked in a friendly voice. Gau sighed.
"Maybe..." He replied softly. "Relm-chan is the only one here who is shorter than me. Maybe I'll ask her out after the feast."
"Ask Ameria," Zelgadis urged. Gau blushed and turned away without a reply. He thought he heard Zelgadis laugh at him.
"You have no right to laugh! You no go out and dance with girl either!" He replied trying to pick an argument. Zel sighed. He pointed to the dancing floor. "See her?" He asked pointing to Lina. Gau nodded.
"Of course. She clumsiest dancer out there," he replied.
"She's one of my partners, Lina. She's very amusing," he went on.
"I just wanna' eat," Lina moaned as she tried to keep up with Locke's feet movements. Locke laughed.
"You're just fine," he replied. "Just take it slowly. Their going to eat after this dance then we'll start dancing again."
"Wonderful..." She said in a sarcastic voice. Not long after the music slowed and everyone bowed to their dancing partners and went to the table to eat the feast. Gau and Lina both tried to contain themselves from eating like wolves since it was a royal ball. Even Gourry had to hold himself back. They did cheers to being together again and joyfully clanked all their wineglasses together in celebration and began to sip away at the fine drinks.
"Zelgadis-san, will you be dancing after the feast?" Ameria asked. He blushed.
"I can't dance..." He replied. Gourry shrugged.
"You should have let Mog teach you," he said. Ameria giggled.
"I can teach you. There's no way that you're going to just sit and watch everyone else have fun!" She continued. Terra nodded.
"Get out a little, Zelgadis," she commented. "You're always so shy."
"Zelgadis is always like that. I'm not surprised," Zelos stated slyly. "So, Firia, are you enjoying yourself?"
"Shut your mouth, Zelos!" Firia snapped from across the table. "I'd hate to see what would happen if I told your little friend the truth about you," she continued. Relm looked up at Zelos curiously.
"What about you and prince charming? You keep your mouth shut about me and I won't say anything about you. Got it?" He said hastily. She nodded slowly. Shilfiell giggled.
"Complete strangers and they're at each others necks," she said in an amused voice. Celes nodded in agreement.
"Like members of the empire," Celes said.
"I don't see how you could stand living in Maranda. Why do you stay there?" Edgar asked.
"To collect information for us of course. Which reminds me a lot of interesting things have been happening in Vector and Albrook. I heard the empiral soldiers found an esper and took it to their castle in Vector. Everyone in the empire states has looked nervous ever since. They say that it has incomparable powers that match Kefka's," she explained. Cyan paused in thought.
"So the bastard is still after them, eh? Thine is a worthy opponent of us. Perhaps we could get this esper to take our side against him," he suggested.
"They don't understand that easy. We'd have to use Terra to talk to it. Then it would join us for sure," Locke said. Terra stayed silent. Firia leaned closer with interest. "If the esper realized that we had so many of its kind with us then it would surely understand without us having to fight and hurt it. Terra, could you do that for us?" He continued. She wearily nodded.
"So, you want to set out and find this esper?" Setzer asked. Celes nodded.
"If Kefka combines power with it then we'll be done for. I know that it's dangerous to put Terra out in a situation like that, but there's no other way," she explained. "I'm sorry, Terra..."
"It's okay. I'll do it," she replied. Sabin nodded.
"So, we'll all be fighting together again for awhile. What about all of you?" Sabin asked Gourry.
"We think we'll go to the New World and take care of some monsters who are endangering us with the threat of reviving the dark lord Darkstar," Gourry replied. "It doesn't sound easy." He finished. Zelgadis sighed.
"We've been through the dark lord thing before. Can't they just let it go?" He said in a tired voice. Ameria shook her head.
"It's villains of injustice's job to do stuff like that, but they can bet they won't get away with it if Ameria Wil Tesla Sailoon is on the job to stop them!" She interrupted. Lina leaned back in her chair.