"ROYALTY NO MORE"
By
Sakura Courage Solo
Chapter One
"When Worlds Collide"
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
Disclaimer:
This goes for all chapters so I don't have to write this over again...I don't own Escaflowne and I don't get paid for writing this.Thankyou.
)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
@* Sakura's POV *@
My aqua eyes darted around rapidly from one place to the next as I made my way through the courtyard.This was it.I was busting out of here tonight.
I snuck around,dodging behind trees,bushes and various courtyard shrubbery to avoid being seen.
"Looks like I'm gonna make it..."
I thought to myself as I neared the edge of the courtyard.I was almost home free!
I came up to the stone fence,looking up at it's high boundaries.
"Piece of cake."
I smirked to myself as I began to skillfully scale the massive wall,then,as soon as I made it to the top,I took one more look back at the Royal Castle of the Kingdom of Rasa one more time.
"No turning back now..."
I said to myself.
"I'll never return.Not now,not ever."
I then dropped myself down on the other side of the wall and silently made my way through the midnight woods.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
@* Van's POV *@
"Well,it's now or never..."
I whispered silently to myself as I cimbed into a tree just outside the castle grounds.
"And I'll gladly take now.This Prince stuff just is'nt me."
I turned my head to take one more look at the place I had called home for so long.The Royal Castle of the Kingdom of Gaea.
"I just was'nt meant to be a Prince."
I said as I spread my snow white wings to take off.
"Sorry,everyone.But I'm just not the person for the job."
I then silently jumped up,taking to the air and flying low,just above the tree tops as the White Moon and the Mystic Moon shined brightly down on me from above,causing my wings to reflect off a soft,white glow.
"I don't know what I am meant for yet,but I know it's not being a Prince.I know that much.I'll find out what I am meant for though,if it takes me forever."
I gave hard flap of my wings and increased the velocity of my flight,leaving Fanelia as far behind me as I could,not having any intention whatsoever of return;ever.
And,with all of this,I disappeared from the City of Fanelia and into the night,never looking back.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
It was several days afterward that I had found myself walking through the Amida Forest,on my way to the Kingdom of Rasa.Nobody from Gaea would think to look for me there.The Kingdom of Rasa was the only one equal in size and power to Gaea,and so the two more or less rivaled.This led me to believe that Rasa would be the perfect place for me to go right now.
"Maybe I should hit the capital,Cloudeus City first."
I thought to myself.
I had remembered going there before when my Family had to go there on this really strict business trip.The Royal Family of Rasa had a daughter about my age that I had played with when we made that trip.We were about 5 at the time,but I still remember her well.Her name was Sakura.
I grew pretty fond of her.She never was meant for all this royalty business either,and she was'nt afraid to let people know it.We even tried to escape together,but we got caught.
I wondered if she would help me now.Maybe help give me some cover.I knew she'd remember me.She had told me before that I was really the only friend that she had,and the only reason that was allowed was because I was royalty like she was.
And to tell the truth,I thought the same of her.
Being royalty is way too much responsibility.Sakura and I hardly had a childhood because of it.We were always being groomed to take our thrones one day.We were pretty much never allowed to have fun and be...normal.
I raised my eyes up to look through the path ahead.On foot,it was going to take me days to get to Cloudeus.I could have flown,but there was too much risk right now,since it was broad daylight.I'd have to hold off on using my wings until nightfall.
I heaved a sigh,but I was'nt about to give up and go home with my tail tucked between my legs.That was'nt even the last thing I was going to do.I was willing to die before returning to Fanelia.
My legs were beginning to feel tired though,as well as the rest of my body.I had been traveling for almost a week straight,so it was no wonder.
I sat down on a large stone nearby and started shuffling through my backpack as my stomach growled loudly.I had also been getting by with less than half a meal a day,but I had been finding plenty of water fortunately.
I finally pulled out a small bag full of dried fruits and nuts and such,deciding this would be good for now.I started munching on the contents of the small bag,leaning back tiredly as I sat there.
Suddenly,I heard a rustle in the bushes nearby.I leapt up as a natural reaction,quickly gripping the hilt of my sword.
"Who's there?!"
I demanded,ready to draw my blade and defend myself at a second's notice if necessary.
"Show yourself!!"
I said,my tone angry as my eyes glared in the direction from which the noise had come.
But,to my surprise,who I saw was'nt any enemy.She was simply a young woman of about my age.She had familiar looking long,blonde hair and aqua eyes.She wore a camouflage tank top,a pair of jeans and combat boots.She had a sword sheathed at her belt as well,and had her hand on the hilt.Apparently,I had just surprised her as much as she had surprised me.
I took my hand away from my sword,and she did the same.
"Sorry,I did'nt mean to surprise you like that."
She smiled slightly and replied,
"Hey,I'm the one who accidentally rustled the foliage and made you jump,so it was petty much my fault for getting you started."
I smiled back to her and asked,
"So,what're you doing all the way out here?"
"I could ask you the same."
She said with a smirk.
I knew I could'nt tell her though.There was no way.If I told her I had run away from my Kingdom,she'd turn me in for sure.
"I asked you first."
I said with the same smirk on my face.
She chuckled and said,
"Yeah,but I counter-asked you."
I blinked.There was something about the way she acted.Something...familiar.She reminded me of someone,but I could'nt think of who she reminded me of.
I decided to play her game and said,
"Well,I'm counter-counter-asking you,and there's no way you can counter a counter counter."
She smirked again.She even looked familiar.She then said,
"All right then,ask me the question again."
I opened my mouth to speak,but no sound came out.She had confused me with all the counters and made me forget what I had asked her!
She chuckled seeing this and said,
"You still fall for that same trick every time,Van.You have'nt changed a bit in 10 years."
My eyes grew wide.Now I knew who she reminded me of,and why she reminded me of her.It was because it was her!Standing right in front of me!
"Sakura..."
I said,my lips curling into a smile.
She simply nodded,her aqua eyes looking right into my ice blue ones.
"You've got it."
She said,her voice had smoothed out over the years.It had sort of a low tone,but still sounded female all the same.
Sakura gave me a huge grin,the same one she would give me when we were just little kids.The next thing I knew,she was hugging me tightly.I was still a bit shocked that it was her,but I hugged back,regardless of my surprise.
"You don't know how good it is to see you,Sakura."
I said as I held her tight in my embracement.
She tightened her hug a bit and said,
"It's good to see you too,Van.I've missed you soooooooooo much!"
"I've missed you too,Sakura.You have no idea how lonely I've been in Fanelia."
"Oh yes I do.It's been ultra lonely in Cloudeus."
"Heh.I bet it has."
"So,what're you doing all the way out here in Amida Forest?"
"I finally managed to escape Fanelia for good,and I'm never going back.I was coming to Cloudeus to see you.I was hoping that maybe you could help me out."
"I was the first person you were going to for help?"
"Well,of course!You're my best friend,why would'nt I?"
"Thanks,Van.To tell you the truth,I was on my way to Fanelia to ask for your help."
"What?"
"Well,you see...I just ran away from Clodeus,too.I escaped a couple of days ago."
We had pulled back from each other's embracement now,our eyes locked as we spoke to one another.
"You ran away from your Kingdom as well?"
I asked,not able to believe the coincidence.
She nodded,her eyes never moving from mine.
"Yeah.Remember,we tried before when your Family came to Cloudeus,but we got busted..."
"I remember that all too well..."
"Yeah..."
"Well,I suppose we're both runaways now."
"Yup.Let's stick together,okay?We're both on the run now,and we could help each other out a lot!"
"Yeah,I was thinking the same thing.I can't think of another person I'd rather be on the run with."
I smiled warmly to her.Was it just me,or did she blush?I was'nt sure,since we were under a heavily shaded area at the moment.She then managed to recover herself from this and said,
"Well,anyway,let's get going.We don't wanna stay in one place too long or we'll end up getting busted."
"Right.Let's get a move on."
With that,the two of us started down another path through the forest,beginning our life-long trip away from Gaea and Rasa,talking about everything that had happened,was happening,and what could happen.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
END CHAPTER ONE
By
Sakura Courage Solo
Chapter One
"When Worlds Collide"
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
Disclaimer:
This goes for all chapters so I don't have to write this over again...I don't own Escaflowne and I don't get paid for writing this.Thankyou.
)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
@* Sakura's POV *@
My aqua eyes darted around rapidly from one place to the next as I made my way through the courtyard.This was it.I was busting out of here tonight.
I snuck around,dodging behind trees,bushes and various courtyard shrubbery to avoid being seen.
"Looks like I'm gonna make it..."
I thought to myself as I neared the edge of the courtyard.I was almost home free!
I came up to the stone fence,looking up at it's high boundaries.
"Piece of cake."
I smirked to myself as I began to skillfully scale the massive wall,then,as soon as I made it to the top,I took one more look back at the Royal Castle of the Kingdom of Rasa one more time.
"No turning back now..."
I said to myself.
"I'll never return.Not now,not ever."
I then dropped myself down on the other side of the wall and silently made my way through the midnight woods.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
@* Van's POV *@
"Well,it's now or never..."
I whispered silently to myself as I cimbed into a tree just outside the castle grounds.
"And I'll gladly take now.This Prince stuff just is'nt me."
I turned my head to take one more look at the place I had called home for so long.The Royal Castle of the Kingdom of Gaea.
"I just was'nt meant to be a Prince."
I said as I spread my snow white wings to take off.
"Sorry,everyone.But I'm just not the person for the job."
I then silently jumped up,taking to the air and flying low,just above the tree tops as the White Moon and the Mystic Moon shined brightly down on me from above,causing my wings to reflect off a soft,white glow.
"I don't know what I am meant for yet,but I know it's not being a Prince.I know that much.I'll find out what I am meant for though,if it takes me forever."
I gave hard flap of my wings and increased the velocity of my flight,leaving Fanelia as far behind me as I could,not having any intention whatsoever of return;ever.
And,with all of this,I disappeared from the City of Fanelia and into the night,never looking back.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
It was several days afterward that I had found myself walking through the Amida Forest,on my way to the Kingdom of Rasa.Nobody from Gaea would think to look for me there.The Kingdom of Rasa was the only one equal in size and power to Gaea,and so the two more or less rivaled.This led me to believe that Rasa would be the perfect place for me to go right now.
"Maybe I should hit the capital,Cloudeus City first."
I thought to myself.
I had remembered going there before when my Family had to go there on this really strict business trip.The Royal Family of Rasa had a daughter about my age that I had played with when we made that trip.We were about 5 at the time,but I still remember her well.Her name was Sakura.
I grew pretty fond of her.She never was meant for all this royalty business either,and she was'nt afraid to let people know it.We even tried to escape together,but we got caught.
I wondered if she would help me now.Maybe help give me some cover.I knew she'd remember me.She had told me before that I was really the only friend that she had,and the only reason that was allowed was because I was royalty like she was.
And to tell the truth,I thought the same of her.
Being royalty is way too much responsibility.Sakura and I hardly had a childhood because of it.We were always being groomed to take our thrones one day.We were pretty much never allowed to have fun and be...normal.
I raised my eyes up to look through the path ahead.On foot,it was going to take me days to get to Cloudeus.I could have flown,but there was too much risk right now,since it was broad daylight.I'd have to hold off on using my wings until nightfall.
I heaved a sigh,but I was'nt about to give up and go home with my tail tucked between my legs.That was'nt even the last thing I was going to do.I was willing to die before returning to Fanelia.
My legs were beginning to feel tired though,as well as the rest of my body.I had been traveling for almost a week straight,so it was no wonder.
I sat down on a large stone nearby and started shuffling through my backpack as my stomach growled loudly.I had also been getting by with less than half a meal a day,but I had been finding plenty of water fortunately.
I finally pulled out a small bag full of dried fruits and nuts and such,deciding this would be good for now.I started munching on the contents of the small bag,leaning back tiredly as I sat there.
Suddenly,I heard a rustle in the bushes nearby.I leapt up as a natural reaction,quickly gripping the hilt of my sword.
"Who's there?!"
I demanded,ready to draw my blade and defend myself at a second's notice if necessary.
"Show yourself!!"
I said,my tone angry as my eyes glared in the direction from which the noise had come.
But,to my surprise,who I saw was'nt any enemy.She was simply a young woman of about my age.She had familiar looking long,blonde hair and aqua eyes.She wore a camouflage tank top,a pair of jeans and combat boots.She had a sword sheathed at her belt as well,and had her hand on the hilt.Apparently,I had just surprised her as much as she had surprised me.
I took my hand away from my sword,and she did the same.
"Sorry,I did'nt mean to surprise you like that."
She smiled slightly and replied,
"Hey,I'm the one who accidentally rustled the foliage and made you jump,so it was petty much my fault for getting you started."
I smiled back to her and asked,
"So,what're you doing all the way out here?"
"I could ask you the same."
She said with a smirk.
I knew I could'nt tell her though.There was no way.If I told her I had run away from my Kingdom,she'd turn me in for sure.
"I asked you first."
I said with the same smirk on my face.
She chuckled and said,
"Yeah,but I counter-asked you."
I blinked.There was something about the way she acted.Something...familiar.She reminded me of someone,but I could'nt think of who she reminded me of.
I decided to play her game and said,
"Well,I'm counter-counter-asking you,and there's no way you can counter a counter counter."
She smirked again.She even looked familiar.She then said,
"All right then,ask me the question again."
I opened my mouth to speak,but no sound came out.She had confused me with all the counters and made me forget what I had asked her!
She chuckled seeing this and said,
"You still fall for that same trick every time,Van.You have'nt changed a bit in 10 years."
My eyes grew wide.Now I knew who she reminded me of,and why she reminded me of her.It was because it was her!Standing right in front of me!
"Sakura..."
I said,my lips curling into a smile.
She simply nodded,her aqua eyes looking right into my ice blue ones.
"You've got it."
She said,her voice had smoothed out over the years.It had sort of a low tone,but still sounded female all the same.
Sakura gave me a huge grin,the same one she would give me when we were just little kids.The next thing I knew,she was hugging me tightly.I was still a bit shocked that it was her,but I hugged back,regardless of my surprise.
"You don't know how good it is to see you,Sakura."
I said as I held her tight in my embracement.
She tightened her hug a bit and said,
"It's good to see you too,Van.I've missed you soooooooooo much!"
"I've missed you too,Sakura.You have no idea how lonely I've been in Fanelia."
"Oh yes I do.It's been ultra lonely in Cloudeus."
"Heh.I bet it has."
"So,what're you doing all the way out here in Amida Forest?"
"I finally managed to escape Fanelia for good,and I'm never going back.I was coming to Cloudeus to see you.I was hoping that maybe you could help me out."
"I was the first person you were going to for help?"
"Well,of course!You're my best friend,why would'nt I?"
"Thanks,Van.To tell you the truth,I was on my way to Fanelia to ask for your help."
"What?"
"Well,you see...I just ran away from Clodeus,too.I escaped a couple of days ago."
We had pulled back from each other's embracement now,our eyes locked as we spoke to one another.
"You ran away from your Kingdom as well?"
I asked,not able to believe the coincidence.
She nodded,her eyes never moving from mine.
"Yeah.Remember,we tried before when your Family came to Cloudeus,but we got busted..."
"I remember that all too well..."
"Yeah..."
"Well,I suppose we're both runaways now."
"Yup.Let's stick together,okay?We're both on the run now,and we could help each other out a lot!"
"Yeah,I was thinking the same thing.I can't think of another person I'd rather be on the run with."
I smiled warmly to her.Was it just me,or did she blush?I was'nt sure,since we were under a heavily shaded area at the moment.She then managed to recover herself from this and said,
"Well,anyway,let's get going.We don't wanna stay in one place too long or we'll end up getting busted."
"Right.Let's get a move on."
With that,the two of us started down another path through the forest,beginning our life-long trip away from Gaea and Rasa,talking about everything that had happened,was happening,and what could happen.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((
END CHAPTER ONE
