THE ESCAPE

Author's Notes: Hi everyone! I AM SO SORRY I HAVE NOT UPLOADED IN DAYS! But good news, I finished writing the ENTIRE story saga - part 1, 2, and 3. And it 94 freaking pages long, yup! So, hopefully I'll be uploading it one chapter per day. I was trying to write it all as fast as I could over the weekend so I could do that, but I didn't edit most of the story, so I'm doing that now. This chapter I just finished editing. So…here we go! Oh, and after I finish uploading all the chapters from all three series…it's not over! ^^

Anywho, real A/N: Okay, the big – but not necessarily long – chapter of their escape. This is gonna be so much fun. My mom and I discussed what will happen, and hopefully I'll write it right! Also, like I stated last chapter, it's the last chapter in Story Series 1. Now, let's see what you think…

Wander and Lenia worked for the next week to develop a full-proof plan. Wander would get the main 'equipment', which included the disguises for the four dancers to escape – they would be leaving as Slitheropolis guards; he was glad he didn't need to wear that – and prepare their escape while Lenia would locate the key to the cell the four were in and get the dates right.

Fortunately, Empress Sierra's birthday was in another week, so that gave them the opportunity they needed. However, Lenia thought that her mother was acting a little strange; even a little smug.

"She knows! I'm sure of it! I don't think we'll be able to get away!"

Wander looked at his new partner, trying to remain optimistic. "Don't worry, we can do this. When yer…mother is watchin' the fireworks, we'll sneak off and get on one of her ships by Scale Harbor. It should be easy."

Lenia sighed and bit her lip. "I hope you're right."

But a few days before the Day of Escape, Sierra pulled Wander aside.

"Sir Wander, how is everything? You and Lenia are becoming quite close, are you not?"

Wander nodded, keeping his guard up. "Yes, ma'am."

Sierra smiled. "Good, good. Just know this. You can't take that girl away from me, Wander."

Wander gasped softly. She does know. Lenia was right.

Before he could find the words to defend himself, she was gone, slithering away down the hall. But before she had completely vanished, she said.

"This little scheme you're pulling will not work in a kingdom like this. I'll give you a sporting chance, since you saved us from Hater and his stupid minions. But once it's over, you're done!"

Wander slumped to the ground. He didn't know what to do. Hope for a miracle? Call in for backup? But from where? He didn't know anyone like Lenia did!

Picking himself up, he decided to go with the plan anyway and no matter what, should he die, at least he could give Lenia her freedom.

It was the day and everything in the plan was complete. Wander got the knight uniforms for the dancers, which they now wore. Lenia got the key, so all four of them were free at last. Now, they just had to run.

Since Big Bill was the biggest, fastest, and physically the strongest, he managed to carry all of them and run while Wander and Lenia pointed out directions. By the time they made it outside the castle, no one knew what they had done or what they were doing.

Big Bill jogged another mile to the harbor before stopping.

"Uh, guys," he said. "There are no ships here."

Wander gulped. Had this been what Sierra meant when she said the plan wouldn't work? He looked around.

"No, there on the other side of the harbor, Bill," Lenia pointed. "She likes to hide her stuff."

"Oh, I see," Big Bill said with a nod as he sprinted to the first ship. But stepping into the control room, they saw the wires pulled and metal smashed.

"Check the other ships!" Wander ordered frantically.

"What's the point of checking if they're all the same?" Called a voice from outside.

They walked out and found an army of weird, sharp-headed black soldiers with Empress Sierra.

"I told you Wander that I wouldn't allow you to escape, especially with the princess."

Wander frowned. "Don't ya understand that Lenia just wants freedom? She doesn't like bein' cooped up in one planet with the same stuff day after day. Let her have a little variety and I'm sure she'll be happier. That and you could be a little nicer to yer guests…who happen ta be her friends." He smiled and pointed to the four dancers.

Sierra hissed. "I'll do what I want in my kingdom and as for Lenia, she's staying with me…FOREVER! Arrowblacks ATTACK!"

Dodging a few of their first attempts at head-butting him, Wander pulled the hammer out of his hat.

"What?" Sierra gasped. "But you…you said you made…YOU LIED TO ME!"

"Had to, m'lady! I don't really trust you! You can't really blame me for that after the way you've been treatin' folks." He smiled and hit an Arrowblack hard.

After swinging a few more times and getting rid of a few more of the Arrowblack minion, Sierra was rethinking her decision. It was no wonder he was able to defeat Lord Hater. This little guy was tough. And every time one of her black minions got past him, the big guy would punch him before they could strike.

Pretty quickly, the tides were turning against Empress Sierra and she had to make it stop. But how would she do it. Surrender and pretend to be friendly? He would never fall for that again. The only other option was to give him a working ship and let them go. NEVER!

And she would never give up!

Lunging forward just as her last minion fell, Sierra took Wander off guard and pinned him down.

"You won't take my baby away from me! EVER! She's mine!" The snake woman hissed, preparing to inject the Star Nomad with enough venom to kill him in seconds.

Wander cringed and looked away until the extra weight from Sierra left his body. He looked up to see something that was not only amazing but wonderful and even heartwarming to his eyes.

Sylvia stood above him, holding Sierra by the neck.

The zbornak glared at the snake woman. "Stay away from my friends, Snake-lady! If they say they're leaving, then they are. Got it? You are not gonna stop them!"

Dropping the empress in a heap, Sylvia turned to Wander as he picked himself up. The zbornak picked up the hammer and handed it to him.

"I believe this is yours, Pal."

Wander smiled, tears in his eyes, as he placed the giant hammer back in his hat. He then placed his arms around Sylvia's neck and cried.

"I was so…worried about you. I wasn't sure I had done enough to save you. You're okay, right?"

Sylvia chuckled. "Yes, thanks to you…with giving me medical attention after what happened and lending me and the others the ship to get me to a doctor…I was able to recover and come back here just in time to save you."

Wander released her and wiped his eyes. "But how'd you know?"

Lenia walked up behind him. "I felt a bad vibe from Mother, remember. So I contacted Sylvia and her crew just in case. Turns out, it was perfect timing and it worked out. Now, we have to go before they surround us."

Wander nodded and they all headed to the ship just as Sierra lifted her head.

"No, Lenia. Please!" She called desperately before coughing.

Lenia looked at her adopted mother. "I'll see you again someday, Mom. Well, maybe, and that's after I've traveled the universe a bit!"

A/N: Okay, so we FINALLY have an ending to this particular part. And, as I already said, Lenia will be with us on the journey, so it's Wander, Sylvia, and Lenia. It's AU, sorry! Just so that I can have a lot more fun with romance. Durrhurr! Anyways, what did you all think of this? Let me know! :D R&R