Naga chose to ignore Actinaea, and instead waved at the slowly oncoming band of nomads. "OI!" she cried. "Do you happen to have a bell with you?" The nomads were still some hundred yards off, but Naga's voice carried easily over to them, and soon they were stopped and searching their packs for a bell; prospective customers were always good. Soon, Naga's horse had gotten close enough to the nomads that they could shout back and be heard. A man called, "Sorry, lady, no bells here! We had one earlier, but some redheaded guy bought it." Naga's heart sank just a bit. "I see. Did he say where he was headed?" The man thought. "Uh, yeah. He said he was going to Saillune." And then Naga's heart sank through clear through to the other end of the planet. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Slayers Glorious Chapter 21: Disguise! Can Ace "fill" her new role? Part by Adam Pace Started by Todd Harper --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Erika sat by the window of her room inside the Saillune Magic Guild, looking out over the city that she planned to destroy very soon. She had come a long way in her plans while Torr was out chasing the Silent Bell. Over that time, she had managed to gain the trust of many of the guild leaders, who graciously provided her with all of the magical texts she needed to carry out her research. The people here were far too trusting, in Erika's opinion, especially for subjects whose royal family was regularly visited upon by tragedy. Erika smiled to herself as she looked over the capital and envisioned the changes she planned to make once the current city was demolished. Not only would she have revenge upon Saillune's royal family for their crimes against her people, but she would also create a new home for her race in the city's destruction. Of course, she would also take joy in the destruction of the current city. If there was one thing Erika absolutely hated about Saillune, it was the attitude of the citizens. She hated the fact that inside the city walls of the great White Magic Capital, it seemed that there were never-ending conversations about honesty, love, integrity, and most of all JUSTICE. Everywhere she went, it was JUSTICE this, and JUSTICE that. Erika was getting quite annoyed by JUSTICE, and would be quite happy when the population was completely obliterated by the chaos she planned to unleash upon them. Of course, her minion was incompetent in his task, and her extraction of revenge would have to be delayed. Finally she spoke up. "Had you followed my instructions exactly, Torr, we would be able to execute our plans." "Our plans?" laughed Torr, "What, you're going to blast the city to bits, then we start feeling good about ourselves? That sounds like YOUR plan to me. You have your bell, so my job is done." "I specifically remember telling you that I require the White Serpent here, in Saillune!" Erika replied, "And you have failed in that simple task of bringing her here." "This is ridiculous," Torr replied, "You're not going to get Naga within fifty miles of Saillune. Besides, I told you that I wasn't going to go along with your manipulation schemes. If you want Naga here, why don't you just do it yourself?" "I find your lack of respect towards me quite frustrating, Torr," Erika scolded. Torr began walking towards the door. "If you need me for something that makes sense, I'll be in the bar." Erika was tempted to blast Torr right then and there for his insubordination, but decided that he was still a useful minion for certain tasks, and refrained from eliminating him. She would simply have to employ outside means to get what she wanted, and she knew that "The Ring" would be happy to assist her. The Ring, as it was known in the underworld, was a criminal organization with considerable influence. In recent years, this organization had grown in power, forming alliances with large bandit gangs in various kingdoms, dealing in illegal substances, and hassling legitimate business for "protection" money. Once limited to the small area around Sairaag, The Ring was now a criminal power that spanned many kingdoms. Erika had formed an alliance with the leader of The Ring early on, and was now entitled to certain favors. She knew that within hours of her request, The Ring would send its thugs, con-artists, and whatever else she needed to do her bidding. Erika reached for her crystal ball. Slowly it lit up. A raspy voice on the other end answered, "Who is it that is now disturbing me at my hour of rest?" "Forgive me, Mr. Donovicci," Erika replied, "It is I, Lady Erika." "Ah yes, Lady Erika, our friend in Saillune. What is it that I am able to do for you this evening?" "I want to arrange a kidnapping..." --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Somewhere between the Elmekia border and the White Magic Capital of Saillune was the normally quiet village of Salsburg. Though the Salsburg bed and breakfast had experienced its share of unruly guests, none had quite the effect that the current patrons did. Lars, the owner of the establishment, stood in total shock as he found his supply of fine drinks being depleted at an alarming rate. "Bartender!" the horrible voice called to him, "The illustrious White Serpent requires another bottle of wine!" Lars spoke up. "Ma'am, I think you've had a little too much to drink." Naga glared at Lars from the table she shared with her three companions, "Ooooohohohohohooho! Don't underestimate my incredible alcohol tolerance level, my good man." "That's the fifth bottle of Zefelian wine you've ordered in an hour," Actinaea remarked, "And I don't want to have to pay the bills generated by your crude drinking habits." "Simply because you don't know how to enjoy yourself, Praetor, does not give you the right to prevent others from having fun." Naga said bluntly. Getehl decided that it might be best for him to interrupt the conversation before it ended up out of hand. "So," he began, "We're headed for Saillune, correct?" "Incorrect!" Naga said. Mariposa had a confused look in her eyes. "Isn't that where Torr went with the bell?" Naga quickly responded with the first lame excuse that came into her mind. "There is absolutely no way that you will get the beautiful and talented White Serpent into such a decrepit town as Saillune. Do you have any idea what those people do to their young? I will not enter such a place! We should retrieve the bell after it leaves Saillune, that would be the most prudent course of action." "I thought Saillune was supposed to be the safest city in the world," Getehl commented, "A guy like Torr would stick out like a sore thumb there." "And if Lady Erika is in Saillune, you can beat her up and get my parents back!" Mari exclaimed. Naga finished off the fifth bottle of wine in one long, sustained, gulp. "Bother me no more with this issue. The White Serpent requires sleep." With that, Naga got up and headed up stairs. "I can't believe the nerve of that over inflated witch!" Actinaea exclaimed as she quickly followed. Mariposa shrugged. "Goodnight, Getehl." "Mari, can you do one thing for me?" Getehl asked. "Sure..." she affirmed. "Promise me that you'll never grow up to be like THOSE TWO." Mari nodded. Then she headed up stairs. Getehl sighed and flipped Lars a gold coin. "Sorry about the noise." "Finally some peace and quiet," Lars sighed as Getehl walked up the stairs. "I need to retire..." Suddenly the front door of the in opened. Two men who looked strikingly similar entered and sat down at the bar. "Two ales," one of them said quickly. "Yes sir," Lars began. He didn't like the look of these two, but he thought it best not to refuse them service. "What brings you to Salsburg?" "We're looking for someone," the other twin replied. "Have you seen a swordsman wearing a wide brimmed hat recently? He's been travelling with a lady who wears all black. My brother and I would appreciate it if you could provide us with some information." Lars began to sweat. "Sorry, I haven't seen anyone like that around here," he lied. "Ask him again, Daron." Daron nodded and grabbed Lars by the collar. "You wouldn't want anything to happen to your nice little inn, now would you? Where is he?" "Up-up-stairs," Lars said. "Room four! Please, I don't want any trouble!" "You've been most cooperative," Daron replied. Doran looked at his brother. "Shall we?" he aksed. Daron nodded, and the twins headed upstairs to carry out their assignment. After forcing the door to the fourth room open, the twins crept up to Getehl's bed. The mercenary appeared to be asleep, but Daron had his blackjack in hand just incase Getehl woke up. As they stepped closer, one of Doran's steps caused one of the floorboards to creak. Getehl began to stir. He groaned as he slowly opened his eyes. He wasn't quite sure if he was dreaming or not, as two familiar faces were staring back down at him. "Hey," he said, "Aren't you guys..." KLUNK --------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Good morning!" Naga laughed as she came bouncing downstairs, "Though I'm quite sure it isn't so good for you, oh stick-shaped Praetor." Actinaea glared back at Naga. "This is hardly the time for your usual taunting. Getehl is missing." "What ever do you mean?" Naga asked. "Getehl is probably out back practicing. I'm surprised that you two aren't outside sneaking a peek." "Read this," Mari said. Naga noticed that her eyes were full of tears as she was handed a letter. WHITE SERPENT: We have Getehl. If you want to see him alive, come to the club at the edge of town. Come alone. No magic or funny stuff, or the swordsman gets it. Signed, THE TWINS "Getehl..." Naga began, as if she were about to be moved to tears. Then she suddenly perked up and made an announcement. "So! These hooligans have taken poor, defenseless Getehl in his sleep, and are now using them to get at the illustrious White Serpent, who they know they can not best in a fair contest. Fear not, for we still have the advantage over these ruffians!" "How so?" Actinaea asked, "If they have a sword to Getehl's neck, they certainly will be able to demand whatever they want. They want to see you there alone, you know." "Don't worry, my flat chested companion, for as always, I have a brilliant plan. Since there are two twins, then that means there simply must be two White Serpents!" Actinaea didn't like the sound of this one bit. "What are you getting at Naga? This is hardly the situation for one of your harebrained schemes to go awry." "Worry not!" Naga said, "My plans are always perfect! Getehl will be safely in your arms in no time." Naga laughed as she leaned close to Actinaea and whispered her plan into the Praetor's ear." Actinaea jumped back as if Naga were the Dark Lord himself. "NO!" she screamed, "I will in no way, shape, or form reduce myself to that level! There simply must be another way to save Getehl!" "Come on," Naga begged, "If anything, do this for the love of Getehl." Actinaea blushed mildly. "Very well, White Serpent, but I want your word that not a world of this will leak out to the outside world!" "You have my word, Praetor," Naga promised. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- After a few embarrassing trips to the local tailor's shop, Mariposa had secured the proper materials that Naga needed to carry out her plan. Though she always wondered why Naga drew out such overcomplicated battle schemes, they had gotten the group out of trouble several times before, despite Actinaea's protests, and since the Praetor was unable to come up with any better alternatives, it seemed like Naga's plan would be put into motion. "Is this going to work?" Mari asked as Naga attached a plastic skull to a leather choker. "Naturally, this is a mere replica of my beautiful clothing," Naga laughed, "But in a dimly lit room, no common ruffian would tell the difference." "I don't think Praetor Actinaea is going to like wearing this very much," Mari said softly. "Nonsense!" Naga exclaimed, "There isn't a woman in the world who doesn't secretly desire to lead the life of Naga the Serpent, if even for only a day." "If you say so..." Mari sighed. "Are you quite done with that!?" Actinaea asked from behind a dressing curtain, "Let's just get this over and done with." "Here you go, Praetor." Naga replied as she tossed the choker over the top. "I can't believe you talked me into this," Actinaea said. "This is far too embarrassing!" "Hmph," Naga remarked, "Even though you have no physical attributes to speak of whatsoever, I'm sure that it is a vast improvement over that restrictive robing you wear every day. Come out and let's see it." Actinaea's face was beat red as she stepped out wearing a reasonable facsimile of Naga's signature battle bikini. It wasn't perfect, perhaps by Naga's design, but most of the details were there. "I look like a complete harlot," she finally whined as she looked at herself in the mirror. "Not too bad, considering your physical status," Naga laughed. "Though there is one finishing touch." Naga produced a black wig that resembled her own hair reasonably. "I had Mari pick this up as well." Actinaea growled as she snatched the wig and put it on over her silver hair. "After we rescue Getehl, I'm going to burn this sorry excuse for an outfit!" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Later in the evening, Naga and Actinaea put their plan into action, approaching the club from different sides. Actinaea, in her Naga get up, was to first make contact with the twins. "This better work," she muttered under her breath as she stepped into the club's front entrance. "Hey, you're a cutie," the bouncer remarked as she passed him. "Unfortunately, this is an exclusive joint, so I'm gonna need to know who you are before I let you in..." Actinaea knew she was going to regret what she was about to do. "Ahem," she began, imitating Naga's voice as best she could, "I am the beautiful and talented sorceress, Naga the Serpent! Ooohoho *cough*!" "Naga the Serpent?" the bouncer asked, "You're expected. Come with me." Actinaea took a big gulp and followed the bouncer into a poorly lit corner of the club. Getehl was sitting in a chair with a gag over his mouth, with a twin on both sides of him. "MMPH!" Getehl coughed, totally surprised to see Actinaea dressed in such a manner. "Naga the White Serpent," Doran remarked as he caught glimpse of the cute girl in the battle bikini. "Your reputation precedes you," Duran agreed. "That is correct!" Actinaea managed, "I am indeed Naga the Serpent, the world's most ... talented magician! I demand that you release my ally at once!" Doran put a knife up to Getehl's throat. "Getehl here, though he already owes our employers a considerable amount, will not be harmed so long as you do exactly as we say." "What do you require?" Actinanea asked, though she wanted to blast them both. "We'll release Getehl after we take you to Saillune," Daron explained, "Until then, we'll kill him if you try anything funny." "I must say, I thought it would be much easier than this," Doran admitted. Daron continued. "But I guess that the White Serpent here has feelings for this guy." Suddenly there was a giant crashing noise as the glass roof of the club came falling down. The patrons scrambled under their tables as the real Naga made her appearance from above. "Ooooohohohohoho! I've finally caught you! You're the cheap imitation that's been going around calling herself the White Serpent. For shame on you!" "Imitation?" asked Doran, "But that means that..." "Exactly!" Naga laughed as she approached the corner of the room, "That isn't even the real Getehl you have there. It's all a clever ruse THAT imposter to trick people into believing that she is me wherever she travels." "What!?" Daron screamed, "You little witch! I can't believe you tricked us!" As expected, these thugs weren't too bright, and immediately hearing that they had been betrayed, they immediately ignored who they believed to be an imposter Getehl, and advanced on Actinaea. "Um, I can explain!" Actinaea began. Doran held his knife threateningly "We're listening..." Actinaea began to stutter. "Err... that is... um ... MONO VOLT!" "DORAN!" Daron screamed as his brother was fried by Actinaea's spell. "Ahem," Naga said as she tapped Daron on the shoulder. "Huh?" Daron began as he turned around. "FREEZE ARROW!" "That takes care of these two," Actinaea sighed, "Serves you two punks right for even trying to harm a hair on Getehl's head!" "And even more so since you were foolish enough to believe that this scrawny excuse for a mage was actually the White Serpent." Naga added. "MMPH!" Getehl mumbled. "Sorry," Actinaea said as she ran over and untied the mercenary. "Thanks," Getehl said as he was freed from captivity. "That was a rather bold move there. How did Naga even get you into that thing?" "It was necessary to retrieve you," Naga laughed. "You know Ace," Getehl remarked as he looked her over once more, "You actually look pretty cute in that..." He would have continued had Actinaea not shoved her fist into his face. "Ooohohohohohoho!" Naga lauged, "I wonder if these two hooligans have a reward on their heads." "I'll never trust another woman again," Doran groaned as he felt Naga bounding his hands with a rope. "Ditto." Daron agreed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lady Erika sat by her bell, patiently stroking it's shiny surface with her hand as she waited for the arrival of Naga. After the lost princess was in Saillune, the fun would really begin. Of course, she hadn't expected it to take so long for The Ring to deliver. She was certainly capable of waiting. After all, it only delayed the inevitable. "Yes," she said to herself softly, "Thanks to Lugandi's Bell, I'll be able to show Saillune MY version of Justice." Erika paused and looked at the bell more closely. She had expected to see some sort of distinguishing feature that confirmed that this was Lugandi's bell, but there was none. She peered closer and found a set of small scripted carvings on the bell's side. "Kinko Copi" she read aloud. She paused in thought, then suddenly her face fumed with anger. Clenching her fist, she screamed at the top of her lungs. "TOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" -------Chapter 21 End----------------------------------------------------- The Obligatory Author's Notes: Lots of thanks to Ravi and Todd, who were a big help in the prereading department, especially in the primary gag of the chapter. They seem like great guys to deal with, especially for a newbie like me. Actinaea isn't as badly proportioned as Naga makes her out to be, from what I can tell, so hopefully this was entertaining to Ace fans. Also, I felt we needed some new humor going into a part of the story that could very well take a more serious tone than previous chapters. I decided to leave the Sea Captain out of this one, because I feel that it is getting annoying to have him show up in every episode. He's a great running gag over the long run of the story, but every chapter is getting a bit much, IMO, though others will disagree, I'm sure. Hopefully we'll see some fan art of Actinaea in the Naga-esque outfit she wore in this chapter. Considering the popularity of Slayers that seems to exist within the Impro community, I'm surprised that we haven't seen more Glorious fan art or omake. I think Glorious is every bit as fun and entertaing as the other stories, though it doesn't seem to be among the more popular. Anyway, it was lots of fun. Hopefully Glorious keeps going long enough for me to do another part. ^_^ -Adam (ruri@ucsd.edu)