"How about a party then?" I recommended to her. All of the leaders looked at me with complete shock. "Sinbad, just what are you thinking?" Jafar asked me with concern. I gave him my just trust me smile and he just nodded. "Well, a party would be an amazing way to meet you all, but then you all would act differently from your true selves. I have an adaption of that idea: we can have a ball, a masquerade ball. I will meet all of you at the ball, but since we will all be in mask, I won't have to worry about you hiding your true selves from me. I will be wearing a mask as well, and I have a way to conceal my hair from you all. I will give you all an item, and that item will tell me if I wish to trade with you, after the party. Sound reasonable?" E asked everyone. Jafar tried to contradict her by saying, "You can't possibly meet all of us during one party, how will you give everyone a chance?" E smirked at that and rebutted, "Atlantis is consisted of many city-states and rulers who work together to make our empire prosper. They will attend the party as well. You may bring any advisors with you and they can speak to me or my advisors, who will introduce you to me, but only if you are worthy. So do you say, Kala?" she asked me with a confident look in her eyes, challenging me with this masquerade. I smirked at her and responded, "In three days, we will host a masquerade ball in Sindria."
POV: ISAYOI
I knew Sinbad couldn't resist my challenge. When he and I traveled together, he would always run head first into every situation. I knew it was cruel to use that part of his personality against him, but I needed to see his change for myself. "Three days it is then. I hopefully will see you all at the masquerade ball. Now, if you will excuse me: I have some diplomatic matters to attend to," I told the Seven Seas Alliance while curtsying. A voice I knew far too well yelled, "WAIT! Where are you staying for the night? Surely you will not begin to travel late in the night?" I knew what his true intention was, but since he was helping me with my plan I felt it appropriate to help his. "I was going to stay at a nearby inn, since I do not wish to disturb the Seven Seas Alliance with my personal problems."
"Nonsense. You may stay here in one of the guest rooms and travel in the morning. I sincerely hope you will consider it," he said to me with curtesy, but I saw the desperation of wanting me to stay in his eyes. I inwardly sighed and responded politely, "My advisors and I would be delighted to stay here. Thank you Chairman." I nodded at Lelouch and Minato and we all walked out of the giant meeting room together and I saw Erza standing outside with her sword ready and Ranma had his sword ready as well. "You took your time," she scolded me. I smiled at her because I knew she was worried. I put my hand on her blade and said, "We will not need that at this time. Now relax. I must go speak to those three for diplomatic reasons, you may come if you wish," I told them and all four of them followed me as I walked to find the Empress of the Kou Empire, the King of Kina, and the representative of Reim. Before I went to find them I called an ally that I have had who will be meeting me at the council building later tonight. I saw all three of them in the courtyard sitting there and talking. "Forgive me for my rudeness. I was just talking to the Seven Seas Alliance to set up a ball. Do you all wish to talk here or go elsewhere?" I asked the three and they all just looked at each other and we all went to an inn with no one inside it.
It was quiet for a couple of moments until I decided to break the ice, "What you did was very brave, Empress of Kou. Your family would be extremely proud and please to hear about what you have achieved and strived for." She smiled, blushed, and thanked me. The Representative of Reim then spoke, "What do you wish for us to discuss, if you don't mind my asking?" I smiled at his boldness, and because he reminded me of a little boy I met long ago. "I wish to discuss matters of our own Alliance. I am the current Empress of the Atlantian Empire, and I do not wish to join the Seven Seas Alliance due to it monopolization. I knew Reim wouldn't be a part of that kind of thing, due to the wisdom of Lady Scherazade. I knew Kina wasn't a part of it due to a couple of similar allies that we share, and now that Kou is out of the alliance I figured that you all would want to trade with Atlantis, since we were never a part of it," I answered them in full honesty. I saw from the corner of my eye at Lelouch, Minato, Erza, and Ranma were all smiling. "Wait… you're the Empress of Atlantis? Your hair… your face… I KNEW IT WAS YOU! LADY ISAYOI!" The Representative yelled while going across the table and picking me up in a hug. "AHH! Wait, do I know you?" I asked the gleeful man. I saw Ranma and Erza draw their swords and I said, "Ranma, Erza, drop your weapons, immediately." The man just smiled at me and then responded, "You don't remember me. Well, it has been over ten years since you saw me last. It's me, Muu. The little boy who showed you around Reim when you went to see Lady Scherazade." The instant memory came back to me and then an image of a little boy who wanted nothing more than to be a fighter of Reim. "MUU?! Oh my gods! You've grown so much since the last time that I saw you. Wow, you truly are a Fanalis. I heard of Lady Scherazade: I am deeply sorry for Reim's Loss. Since you know me just a little may we speak a little politically," I responded back to him. He nodded his head and went back to his seat. I sat down and looked at all three of them with a serious look on my face, "I speak of an alliance of three empires, and a kingdom. Atlantis, Reim, Kou, and Kina all together under our own alliance. All four of us together have some of the strongest people in the world. Atlantis is known for our rich minerals and gem stones along with our vast history. Kou is known now for their new trading policies, Reim is very well known for their science, and Kina is well known for their impenetrable forces. Kou and Reim were both once part of the Atlantian Empire. I do not wish to take over your current empires, but I wish to establish trade and security for one another."
The all looked at me and the King of Kina said, "How can we trade when we don't know where Atlantis is?" I smiled at him, "At the moment Atlantis is working on establishing ourselves before we come out to the world fully with our location. We have our own security systems, and no one has been able to come through our borders. Along with that, Atlantis has our own warriors and scholars that have been able to foresee our empire's prosperity. I know that Reim has taken military strategies from our army and that Kou has taken much advice from our literature. We also have a total of 16 captured dungeons in Atlantis; all with household vessel users. Empress of Kou, I know you have your very own metal vessel, as do you Muu. My metal vessel tells me that you have one as well, King of Kina. I also know that you have three brothers that have metal vessels and one of them had three of his own, Empress." The Empress looked at me concern on her face and asked me, "If you don't mind my asking: how do you know so much about us?" I smiled at them and responded to them, "As I said before: we all share similar allies. One of which who will help us to establish trade with another country. You know the three as Aladdin, Morgiana, and Alibaba." All of them shared a look of acknowledgement. They all knew who the three were. "Aladdin, Alibaba, and Morgiana all said that they wish to help Atlantis in any way that they can. I will establish a trade with Balbadd, and with their marine trading policies and location: we will all be able to establish more trade. I will also be contacting another country where I lived for a year, who two of you fought over for many years. By establishing our alliance, you all can get the countries that you wanted to trade with or to rule. What do you say?" They all looked at each other and nodded their heads. Muu asked, "Are we going to call ourselves the Atlantian Alliance?" I just smiled and said, "If that is all what you wish. I will have our contracts ready in three days, before the masquerade ball in Sindria? If you all wish to speak to your advisors until then you may. That is all I had to say about this matter. Empress may I speak to you privately about another matter?" She nodded and everyone left us to our conversation.
About an hour later, I finished my discussion with the Empress of Kou and I headed back to the council meeting building to stay the night. Lelouch, Erza, Minato, and Ranma all were escorting me back to my room. They all knew of the guest who was coming to the council building. I went directly to my room and began to change into my night gown when there was a knock on my door. "Erza, please go check to see who that is. If it is not my guest then tell the person that they will have to wait," I told her. She did as I said and came back shortly and said, "It is the Chairman of the Seven Seas Alliance. He said that he wishes to speak to you as quickly as you are available." I nodded to her and told her that that would be all. I heard a knock on my balcony and I smiled because I already knew who it was. I got up and walked over to the balcony and bowed at my guest, "Hello Baba."
"Why did you invite me all of this way?! I am too old for these kind of things. Flying all the way here from outside of Magnostadt. You know how hard of a burden that is on a lady such as myself," the woman scolded me. She was an elderly woman who had short white hair that waved out in the back with two long strands on the sides in front of her. She wore a brown shirt with a black vest and her skirt was brown and had on a white apron. She had a brown hat that pointed up but at the top it had a fish tail. She had a big bulky nose with razor sharp teeth. "I do apologize for the abrupt communication Baba, but I seek your guidance. I sense a war brewing and I know only you can fully help to see what is to be of our world, so please. I ask only you, Baba Yaga," I pleaded to her. She just did a great sigh and said, "Well, you are my only grandchild. So the only answer I can say is okay," she told me and I smiled and began my study with her as well. I told her my complete plan and she responded, "Be wary of the one called Sinbad. Your plan is very smart and very well thought out. Your suspicions about Sinbad are correct, because I felt the same dark presence. I will talk with the advisors of Magnostadt about your alliance and I will convince them for you." I smiled and tried to hug her while stating, "Thank you Baba. I wish for you to stay the night with me so you may get the rest you need. Tomorrow I can take you back to Magnostadt, if the trip is too much for you." She pushed me off and said, "Don't patronize me! I'm not that old! I will be taking the main bed and will be flying out before dawn. Night, Isayoi." I smiled at her and said, "Goodnight grandmother."
On her way, Sinbad bust through the door and said, "I am sorry for my intrusion but I have been waiting for over an hour to speak to… Oh hello there." Baba just narrowed her eyes at him and just walked into her room. "I apologize for her. My grandmother isn't a people person," I said to him and he just looked confused. "But wait… wasn't that…"
"Baba Yaga. Yes, she is my grandmother and yes, she is Baba Yaga: the witch of the Iron Tooth Forest outside Magnostadt. She came to visit because she had not seen me in over ten years," I explained to him. "Well, she isn't the only one." He responded back to me. I gave a long sighed and I walked out to the balcony and I leaned again the railing to look out to the desert. "Where have you been?" He asked me with hurt in his voice. I didn't look at him and responded, "I have been at Atlantis, ruling my country." He was silent for a moment and said, "Why didn't you come back?" I couldn't tell him about what had happened to me and my country, so I responded, "I couldn't. I can't tell you why, but there was no way for me come back." I heard him come towards me and he asked, "While you were away did you ever think about us?" I inhaled a deep breath and responded, "Every day that I was gone." He put both of his hands on my shoulder and sang:
[Sinbad: And now?]
I immediately felt offended. I moved my body away from his hands and responded,
[Isayoi: How can you talk of now? For us: there is no now]
Then Apollo blasted music through his metal vessel necklace:
[Isayoi: Once upon another time
Our story had only begun
Sinbad: You chose to turn the page
But I made choices too
Isayoi: Once upon another time
We did what we thought must be done
But now we have no choice
We do what we must do
I'll love, You'll live
We'll give what we can give
And take what little we deserve]
I saw him lean against the railing while looking up:
[Isayoi: Once upon another time
I knew how our story would end
But maybe I was wrong,
But now the moments gone
Sinbad: Were it still that other time
I'd make time itself somehow bend
But now I'm not that strong
And time keeps moving on
Isayoi: I'll love, You'll Live Sinbad: You'll love, I'll live
Both: We'll give what we can give
And take what little we deserve
Isayoi: I'll love, You'll live Sinbad: You'll love, I'll live
Both: We'll give what we can give
And take what little we deserve
Once upon another time]
POV CHANGE ALADDIN:
I attempted to use clairvoyance magic to contact E-neesan, and when I did I saw that she was with Sinbad. I looked around the room and I saw that I was in her room and they were on her balcony. They were standing a foot away from each other and they both were looking out to the horizon. I heard Sinbad talk to her and say, "Why did you leave without saying goodbye to me and everyone?" I saw that the ruhk around E-neesan turn blue and she responded, "I did leave you all letters explaining everything. Why are you manipulating everyone, when you promised me that you wouldn't be like that woman?" I heard him sigh heavily, "I do what I have to unite the world." She looked at him with disappointment in her eyes and said, "So you broke your promise to me and continue to lie?" Her necklace began to glow and played music:
[Isayoi: So it was all an empty lie
One final lie to fool them all
To make my death, our stories end
To put my life beyond recall
How dare you come and claim me now
Invade my life, ensnare my voice]
"I DID WHAT I HAD TO HELP MYSELF GET OVER YOU! I THOUGHT YOU HAD DIED AND THAT WAS WHY YOU DIDN'T COME BACK TO US! I FELT SO MUCH PAIN FOR YOU! DID YOU FEEL PAIN FOR US WHEN YOU LEFT?!" Sinbad yelled at her.
[Isayoi: If you could know the pain I've known
Then you would know that I had no choice
Sinbad: My Serafeim]
He then tried to embrace her with his arms, but she wouldn't allow him to comfort her.
[Isayoi: Your Serafeim?
I was yours one brief night long ago
Long ago, with a man that I no longer know
Sinbad: Ah, Serafeim]
He came up to her, stroked her cheek slowly and sensually. She completely followed his touch, seeking for his warm contact.
[Sinbad: You came and found where I hid
Don't you deny that you did
That long ago night]
He stopped stroking her cheek, and backed away from her.
[Sinbad: Once there was a night
Beneath a moonless sky
Too dark to see a thing
Too dark to even try
Isayoi: I stole by your side
Tormented by my choice
I couldn't see your face
But trembled at your voice]
I saw that Sinbad began to move toward E-neesan slowly.
[Isayoi: And I touched you
Sinbad: And I felt you
Both: and I heard those ravishing refrains
Isayoi: The music of your pulse
Sinbad: The singing in your veins
Isayoi: And I held you
Sinbad: And I touched you
Isayoi: And I embraced you
Sinbad: And I felt you
Both: And with every breath and every sigh
Isayoi: I felt no longer scared
Sinbad: I felt no longer shy
Both: At last our feelings bared
Beneath a moonless sky]
Isayoi looked over to Sinbad with pure sadness in her eyes:
[Isayoi: And blind in the dark
A soul gazed into soul
I looked into your heart
And saw you pure and whole]
Sinbad looked back and saw her face and his face went to same expression:
[Sinbad: Cloaked under the night
With nothing to suppress]
Sinbad walked over to her and put his hand on her cheek and she melted right into his touch. He slid his other arm around her to pull her in close:
[Sinbad: A woman and a man
No more and yet no less
And I kissed you
Isayoi: And caressed you
Sinbad: And I took you
Isayoi: And I begged you
Both: With a need too urgent to deny
And nothing mattered then
Except for you and I
The night I can't forget
Beneath a moonless sky]
Sinbad tried to embrace Isayoi in his arms, but she just inhaled quickly and pulled away. "Don't," is all she said to him. "Serafeim… Please. I know you wanted to stay, but you couldn't. Let us be together again," Sinbad begged to her. I saw a tear stream down her face:
[Isayoi: And when it was done
Before the sun could rise
Ashamed of what I was
Afraid to see your eyes
I stood while you slept
And whispered a goodbye
And slipped into the dark
Beneath a moonless sky]
Sinbad embraced her in his arms and begged again with all the desperation he had inside of him, "Please, I know what happened and I know that you are upset about it, but it is okay. If you didn't love me, then I could have accepted that."
[Isayoi: But I loved you!
Yes I loved you!
I'd a followed anywhere you lead
Sinbad: I woke to swear my love
But found you gone instead
Isayoi: And I loved you
Sinbad: Oh, I loved you
Isayoi: And I left you
Sinbad: How I loved you
Isayoi: But I had to both of knew why
Sinbad: We both knew why
Both: And yet I won't regret
For now, until I die
The night I can't forget
Beneath a moonless sky]
(AUTHOR'S NOTE: I need a moment. I love this song too much)
I saw that they both were looking very deeply into each other's eye and Sinbad slowly went a kiss, but Isayoi just moved her head and pushed herself out of his arms. Sinbad looked betrayed for a moment and then just sad:
[Sinbad: The day starts
The day ends
Time crawls by
Night steals in
Pacing the floor
The moments creep
Yet I can't bear to sleep
Till I hear you sing]
Sinbad moved towards her and used his arms to express the deep emotions he was feeling:
[Sinbad: And weeks pass
And months pass
Seasons fly
Still you don't walk through the door
And in a haze, I count the silent days
Till I hear you sing once more
And sometimes at nighttime
I dream that you are there
But wake, holding nothing but the empty air
And years come
And years go
Time runs dry
Still I ache down to the core
My broken soul can't be alive and whole
Till I hear you sing once more]
Sinbad put his hands on Isayoi's upper arms and she melted in his hands. She was near tears at his feelings for her and for her own. He put one of his hands to hold her necklace:
[Sinbad: And music, your music
It teases at my ear
I turn and it fades away and you're not here]
Sinbad put his arms around Isayoi and sang:
[Sinbad: Let hopes pass
Let dreams pass
Let them die]
He stroked his hand against her cheek and she moved into his touch:
[Sinbad: Without you what are they for?
I always feel no more than halfway real
Till I hear you sing once more]
I saw that E was clenching on the back of his robe for dear life. "Serafeim, I love you. I have loved you all of these years. I thought of you every day since your disappearance. I was so hurt when you left," Sinbad told her as he stroked E's back. Music came from E's necklace and she began to sing:
[Isayoi: How could I know
I would have to leave you?
How could I know
I would hurt you so?]
She reached up and stroked Sinbad's cheek as she looked at him with sadness and love.
[E: You were the one
That I was born to love
Oh how could I ever know
How could I ever know?]
She pulled away from Sinbad, walked to the balcony railing, and leaned onto it while Sinbad looked lost when she pulled away:
[E: How can I say to go on without me?
How could I know
That you need me so?
How can I say
Not to dream about me?
How could I ever know?
How could I ever know?]
She pushed off the railing and went over to Sinbad while she plead to him. "Sinbad, you and I can't be together. I know it is upsetting, but we just can't. I am getting engaged to another man." Sinbad's whole face went to shock and pure sadness. E began to plead to him:
[Isayoi: Forgive me,
Can you forgive me
And hold me in your heart
Then find some new way
To love me
Now that were apart]
E with her look of pure sadness put her hand on Sinbad's upper arm:
[E: How could I know
I would never hold you
Never again in this world]
She put both of her hands on his upper arms:
[E: But oh, Sure as you breath
I am there inside you
How could I ever know?
How could I ever know?]
She let go of him and took a couple of steps backward. Sinbad then expressed his feelings toward E with his hands, and then he touched her face to express his love for her, and put his forehead on hers:
[Sinbad: How can I hope
To go on without you
How could I know
Where you'd have me go
How can I bear
Not to dream about you
How can I let you go?
Isayoi: How could I ever know?
Sinbad: All I need…
Isayoi: You have already
Sinbad: All I asked is…
Isayoi: To care for the world that we love
Go without me
Safe I would keep you
Sinbad: Where you lead me there I would
Isayoi: There I would, There we would
Both: There we would go]
Sinbad embraced E from behind with tears streaming down both of their faces:
[Both: Oh, how could I know?
Tell me how could I know?
Never to know you would never leave me
Sinbad: How could I ever know Isayoi: How
Isayoi: How could we know?
Both: How could I ever know?]
"Who are you marrying? Is there anything I can do? Can you do anything to get out of it?" Sinbad asked her quietly. E only shook her head and said, "I have never met him. I heard that he is a great man, and used to have a royal status. He is going to help me to make a trade contract with another country." Sinbad hugged her harder and she just held his arms with her arms, because I think he knew that these types of diplomatic marriages are very binding. "Is there any way you and I can be together even if your married?" Sinbad asked her. "No. We Atlantians believe in one marriage and one life partner. Once I marry, that is the only one I can be with. You and I must abandon our love for each other," she answered him honestly. "Abandon your love for me?" Sinbad asked with shear pain. "It's going to be so hard, and hurt so much. But now, we can't love each other or it will ruin everything," E explained to him while sobbing. "So that's what it was. That's a lot to give up our love. I can't kiss you, or touch you, or even hold you ever again*. I can't do that. I lost you once and I can't live on knowing that you are alive and with another man. How can you be alright with this?" Sinbad asked her desperately. E looked back to him and said, "You will okay. You had many lovers after me. You even had another true love after me. You will be okay and so will I. Rule the Seven Seas Alliance and I will rule Atlantis." She tried to push him away, but Sinbad turned her to face him and he kissed her. She began to melt into his kiss, until she pushed him off and yelled, "NO! We can't do this. I am to marry another man and you can just go to the life style you had before I returned!" Sinbad looked hurt and then he yelled, "I CAN'T! I LOVE YOU TOO MUCH FOR THAT!" E began to shake and then she yelled, "THAT DIDN'T STOP YOU BEFORE WITH SERENDINE!" Sinbad just stood there silent and then he just looked down and then walked out of her estate without seeing my clairvoyance magic. I don't think she knew that I was there either because she just screamed out to the desert. She walked over to a little box that looked like a tiny chest. She opened it and there were letters inside. All that had Sinbad's handwriting, but it looked sloppier than it does now.
[E: I saved every letter you wrote me
From the moment I read them
I knew you were mine
You said you were mine
I thought you were mine]
She had a devastated look of remembrance and then it turned to one of anger:
[E: Do you what Artemis said
When we saw your first letter arrive?
She said:
"Be careful with that one, love
He will do what it takes to survive."]
Her look of anger turned to one of sadness and love:
[Isayoi: You and your words flooded my senses
Your sentences left me defenseless
You built me palaces out of paragraphs
You built cathedrals]
Then she just showed plain sadness on her face:
[Isayoi: When re-reading the letters you wrote me
I searching and scattering for answers
In every line
For some kind of sign
Of when you were mine
The world seemed to
Burn
Burn]
She then became angry again:
[E: You published the letters she wrote you
You told the whole world how you brought
This girl into our bed
In clearing your name, you have ruined our lives
Do you know Artemis said
When we read what you'd done?
She said:
"You fell for an Icarus
He will fly too close to the sun"
You and your words, obsessed with your legacy
Your sentences border on senseless
And you are paranoid in every paragraph
How they perceive you…
You, you, you…]
Her look then went back to sad and then gradually became angry:
[Isayoi: I'm erasing myself from the narrative
Let future historian wonder how Isayoi
Reacted when you broke her heart
You have torn it all apart
I'm watching it
Burn
Watching it burn
The world has no right to my heart!
The world has no place in our bed!
The don't get to know what I said!
I'm burning the memories
Burning the letters that might have redeemed you!
You forfeit all rights to my heart!
You forfeit the place in our bed!
You will all alone instead
With only the memories
Of when you mine!]
Her look then went completely sad:
[I hope that you…]
And then she stopped and looked down at a single letter. I looked over her shoulder and saw that it wasn't Sinbad's handwriting. Her chest started to glow and then she waved her hand and a form was created. It was a woman with short fluffy pink and matching pink eyes. She also was petite but had a voluptuous body. She had on a white robe and no shoes. E began to sing to the figure:
[E: I was fine, with the women
Who would come into his life now and again
I was fine 'cause I knew
That they didn't really matter until you
I was fine when you came
And we fought like it was all some silly game
Over him, who he'd chose
After all those years I never thought I would lose
It's over isn't it
Isn't it
Isn't it over
It's over isn't it
Isn't it
Isn't it over
You won and he chose you
And he loved you but now he's gone
It's over isn't it
Why can't I move on?]
She then put the letters down and then went over to the balcony. She jumped up onto the railing and she took off a metal belt that she was wearing and then it glowed and turned into a scythe. She swirled the scythe around as she sang:
[E: War and glory
Reinvention
Decisions
Freedom
His attentions
Out in daylight
My potential
Bold, precise, yet experimental]
She then jumped to lay on her back on the railing as she put her arm on her forehead:
[E: Who am I now in this world without him
Petty and cold with the nerve to doubt him
What does it matter it's already done?]
She then looked right at me through my clairvoyance magic and after she sang one line to me, she then sang to the girl made of ruhk:
[E: Now I've got to be there for their son
It's over isn't it
Isn't it
Isn't it over
It's over isn't it
Isn't it
Isn't it over
You won and he chose you
And he loved and he gone!
It's over isn't it
Why can't I move on?
It's over isn't it
Why can't I move on?]
The pink hair woman looked at her sadly and then just looked down. E saw this and she just waved her hand and the woman had vanished. "What is it, Aladdin?" I heard E-neesan asked me. I look over and I saw her walking over to my position. "I wanted to see how you were doing," I told her. She smiled at me and said, "I know that's not why you called, but I will let it slide for now. Is Masrur in the room with you, Alibaba, and Morgiana?" I only nodded my head. "Good. Listen. I need you all in Kina tomorrow before sunset. Masrur, none of the others generals or Sinbad are allowed to know where we are going. I will meet you all there, but I need to go pick someone up before I do. Be careful. I will see you all tomorrow," she said while bowing. She then waved her hand and my spell then broke. Masrur got up and went to make the arrangements for us to leave for Kina.
Alibaba looked at me and asked me, "Can you check on Sinbad, please?" I nodded my head and I used my clairvoyance magic to see Sinbad. What I saw astonished me. His whole room was torn apart and things were broken and shattered. I saw him about to throw one last item, but he paused. It was a silver box that was decorated with vines and leaves. He opened the box and pulled out a long black shear scarf decorated with tiny silver dots to make it look like the sky. At both ends of the scarf, there were crescent moon. He also pulled out a ring that had a sea green stone that didn't shine like other stones. It was decorated with leaves and a flower around the stone. He also pulled out another small box. When he opened it I saw another ring that had a silver band with a gorgeous giant stone that shined a different color in different lighting. He held all of the items and he rubbed the scarf against the face. Then he just looked at the ring and then he began to sing:
[Sinbad: And in my twisted face
There's not the slightest trace
Of anything that even hints at kindness
And from my tortured shape
No comfort, no escape
I see, but deep within is utter blindness
Hopeless
As my dream dies
As the time flies
Love a lost illusion
Helpless
Unforgiven
Cold and driven
To this sad conclusion]
Sinbad then went to his desk that was flipped and opened his locked drawer. He pulled out a picture that I had seen in my dreams. It was hand-drawn by someone. His signature was on the bottom left of the paper.
[Sinbad: No beauty can move me
No goodness improve me
No power on earth, if I can't love her
No passion could reach me
No lesson could teach me
How I could have loved her
And make her love me too
If I can't love her then who?
Long ago I should have seen
All the things I could have been
Careless and unthinking, I move onward]
He walked to the balcony and sung up to the sky:
[Sinbad: No pain could be deeper
No life could be cheaper
No point anymore
If I can't love her
No spirit could win me
No hope left within me
How I could have loved her and that she'd set me free
But it's not to be
If I can't her
Let the world be done with me]
He ended the song on his knee yelling up to the sky, and finally just sobbed to himself. I began to feel so bad for him. He truly did love E-neesan, but must have happened between them. I heard her mention Serendine, so after I ended the vision Masrur came back and I decided to asked, "Masrur, who was Serendine? What was her relationship to Sinbad and E-neesan?" Masrur paused for a moment and looked really sad and responded, "Serendine was a close friend and she used to work with the Seven Seas Alliance. Her relationship to Sinbad and E was… complicated. Serendine and E both felt the same towards Sinbad. Serendine and her both even fought, with words and blades. Sinbad was torn between the two for most of time. Eventually Sinbad chose E, but she went back to Atlantis shortly after, when she found out…"
"DON'T FINISH THAT STATEMENT, MASRUR! Lady Isayoi told us to never speak of that incident. Aladdin, I understand your concerns, but do not asked about E, Serendine, and Sinbad. That is a very upsetting subject for Lady Isayoi," Kallen came in and yelled at Masrur. Masrur just silenced himself and sat down. "Everyone, it is time to go to bed. Go to bed now," Kallen demanded from us. We all did and I got another dream
In my dream I saw E is a short sky blue dress that had a sweet heart neckline with a shear lining on the top to the neck and to the shoulder. It had types of bejeweling across the top. The skirt went to the lower thigh and flared out a little bit. She had on her metal vessel necklace and had on no shoes. Her hair was fully down and she had very little makeup. She looked the same age and then I saw Sinbad but he looked a lot younger, around E-neesan's age. He wore a white undershirt with puffy sleeves and had on white pants and black boots. E-neesan began to do a weird dance that began slowly and she was on her tippy toes most of the time as she sang:
[E: A man who came to my valley
A man I hardly knew
A man who came to my garden
Grew to love me]
Sinbad then began to do the same dance, but without being on his tippy toes.
[Sinbad: A girl I saw in a valley
A girl I hardly knew
A girl at work in her garden
Grew to love me]
Sinbad then began to dance to what she was singing:
[E: From the gate he called out to kindly
"Lass, wouldst thou 'low me
Rest here, I've ridden quite far"]
E-neesan then began to dance to the words that Sinbad was singing:
[Sinbad: "Share my tea"
She bade me so gently
Oatcakes and cream
Sweet plums in a jar
E: And every day to my garden
This man, who might he be?
Came bearing baskets of roses
For he loved me]
Sinbad and E-neesan then began to do the weird dance together as a duet:
[Sinbad: All I own I'd give
E: Just a garden
Sinbad: All I would ask is never to
E: Never to leave
Both: Say you'll have me
Safe you will keep me
Where you would lead me
There I would, there I would
There I would, there I would go
E: A man who came to my valley Sinbad: A girl I saw in a valley
E: A man I hardly knew Sinbad: A girl I hardly knew
E: A man who gave me a garden Sinbad: A girl who gave me a garden
Both: Grew to love me]
Then both then began to do a waltz like dance and he picked her and swung her in the air. When he put her down the both went in for a kiss, until the music changed. The woman who I assumed to be Serendine came out. She wore a short dress that was golden and she had a golden headband to hold up her hair. She also wore golden boots. E and Sinbad let go of each other and then E went far to a destination that was hard to see. She seemed to have been talking to a golden figure who had a very familiar presence. As E had her back turn to talk to the figure I think, Sinbad and Serendine began to dance and sing:
[Serendine: Anything can happen in the woods.
May I kiss you?
Any moment we could be crushed.]
Sinbad looked very unsure and uneasy at her request:
[Serendine: Don't feel rushed.
Sinbad: This is ridiculous
What am I doing here?
I'm in the wrong story.
Wait a moment, please Seren!
We can't – we can't do this!
You're a princess.
Serendine: Well, yes. I am.
Sinbad: And I have… E.
Serendine: Of course, you're right. How foolish.]
Serendine then she took Sinbad's hand and began to do waltz with Sinbad.
[Serendine: Foolishness can happen in the woods.
Once again, please
Let your hesitations be hushed.
Any moment, big or small,
Is a moment, after all.
Seize the moment, skies may fall
Any moment.
Days are made of moments,
All are worth exploring.
Many kinds of moments
None is worth ignoring.
All we have are moments,
Memories for storing
One would be so boring]
Serendine then tried to kiss Sinbad, but he pushed her off while blushing.
[Sinbad: No, no, no, no!
This is not right!
Serendine: Right and wrong don't matter in the woods,
Only feelings.
Let us meet the moment unblushed.
Life is often so unpleasant.
You must know that, as a peasant
Best to take the moment present
As a present for the moment…]
They both then both leaned in and kissed each other. I was so focused on them I didn't notice that E came back and saw what they were doing. E's dress then turned completely black and she turned away and began to walk. Sinbad pushed Serendine away and he grabbed her, turned her around, and sang to her:
[Sinbad: Look at where we are
Look at where we started
I know I don't deserve you, Sera
But hear me out. That would be enough
I don't pretend to know
The challenges we're facing
I know there's no replacing what we've lost
And you need time
But I'm not afraid
I know who I wanted to marry
Just let me stay here by your side
That would be enough]
E-neesan just stepped away from him and then formed an x with her arms. E then put on a hood and then hid from Sinbad while he tried to look for her. He and Serendine then embraced each other and then E saw and began to sing:
[Isayoi: I would tell you that I love you tonight,
But I know that I've got time on my side.
Where ya goin'?
Why you leaving so soon?
Is there somewhere else that's better for you
What is love?
If you're not here with me?
What is love?
If it's not guaranteed?
What is love?
If it just ups and leaves?
mmmmmm...
What is love?
If you're not here no more?
What is love?
If you're not really sure?
What is love? What is love?
I told myself I wouldn't cry when you're gone,
But I know it's easier said than done.
Look at me! Look at me!
Choked up now!
(Got me choked up now)
Try to tell you but it won't come out!
What is love?
If you're not here with me?
What is love?
If it's not guaranteed?
What is love?
If it just ups and leaves?
What is love?
If you're not here no more?
What is love?
If you're not really sure?
What is love?
If it just ups and goes?
I can't live without ya!
I can't live wit'cha!
What goes around
Will come right back around
You won't know 'till it hits ya!
It was supposed to be
(An empire)
I was supposed to be
(An empire)
We were supposed to be an empire
What is love?
If you're not here with me?
What is love?
If it's not guaranteed?
What is love?
If it just ups and leaves?
WHAT IS LOVE?
What is love?
If you're not really sure?
What is love?
If it just ups...]
I awoke with tears streaming down her face. "What's wrong, Aladdin?" Alibaba asked me with concern. "I just saw the reason why E-neesan doesn't want us to talk about the incident with Sinbad. She and Sinbad were a couple and Sinbad cheated on her with Serendine, but he didn't want to though. He wanted to marry E-neesan. That's why he had that extremely beautiful ring. It was a proposal ring to E-neesan. Before he could propose, she found him kissing Serendine and that's when she decided to leave him. She was willing to give up her country to her brother for Sinbad, but the cheating broke her," I explained to them. We didn't talk about the incident, not even to Masrur. We went to Kina under the orders of E-neesan. When we came to Yamato's office, I saw E-neesan talking to Yamato. E and him were talking about some party that was going on in two days. She turned, saw us, and smiled. "Hello… Aladdin, what's wrong? You look like you did something wrong?" She asked me. I felt so many emotions, but all I did was walk up to her and hugged her. She was stunned by my actions at first and then she slowly began to rub my back. "King of Kina, shall we continue this later? I think I need to speak to them," E-neesan asked Yamato. He only nodded his head and she walked out with all three of us walking with her. She led us to her guest room where a lot of chairs were. We all sat down and E said, "So I guess with the vision I set you last night; you now have some idea about what happened." I nodded to her and then she only responded with a heavy sigh. "Well, we now have some time until everyone arrives. I will tell my full story from the beginning…" E told us. She then told us her fully story and used clairvoyance magic to give us visuals to fully see what had happened to her. (Her full story will appear next chapter but I want to get to the masquerade party.)
Alibaba and me both had tears in our eyes, even Morgiana had tears in her eyes from E's life story. She sat there and held a straight face as she finished. "That's my story. I had my reasons for leaving and I have my reasons for returning and continuing to fight for Atlantis," E told us. I looked outside and it was sunset, that means it took a full day for E-neesan to fully explain her life story. We all just sat there in silence for a couple of minutes until the doors burst open and a little boy with Minato's hair, eye, and skin color. He looked to be about ten or eleven years old. He looked around until he saw us. I saw Minato walk in behind him with a woman with long red hair that went down to her knees with pale skin. She had deep violet eyes and a slender figure. She wore a white undershirt with an a-line dress that was green and that went down to her ankles. Her hair was fully down and was as straight as E-neesan. The little boy had on a white shirt with red fire symbols on the sleeves and the front of the shirt. He also had on black trousers that went to his shins that had an orange stripe on the sides. "IS THAT HER MOM?!" The boy yelled while pointing at E-neesan. The red haired woman only nodded at him. The little boy ran up to E-neesan and hugged her. E was shocked at first and then smiled. She hugged him back and teased, "This young man is not little Naruto. Naruto would only be a boy not a handsome young man." He giggled at her and said, "Auntie E, it is me. I'm Naruto." E-neesan giggled and held Naruto. E giggled and held him. When they let go and E got up and hugged the red hair woman and said, "Kushina, it has been years. Naruto has so big and handsome. How are you?" The red haired woman had tears forming from her eyes and then she responded, "Isayoi, you haven't changed a bit. I've missed you so much. Naruto and I have been waiting for years to see you. He really wanted to meet his godmother." E-neesan smiled. Then everyone else from Atlantis walked in and bowed to E. "Everyone. Atlantis has been invited to a masquerade ball in Sindria in two days. I want you all to go and try to make connections to the world. If you feel that their hearts match ours, please introduce me to whoever you deem worthy. I also have a plan and it involves…" E began to tell us her full plan. After we heard the plan, the main man who was part of her plan walked in and that's when I knew that this was going to be long party.
The next day we all designed our gowns and costumes for the party and then the night came. We waited an hour after the party started to show up. I attended the party as well and I wore a black and white mask that had swirls around it. I also wore a black suit with shirt and trousers and no shoes. I came little early and then when the Atlantian people came together they all came in singing and dancing:
[CHORUS
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade . . .
Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you!
Flash of mauve . . .
Splash of puce . . .
Fool and king . . .
Ghoul and goose . . .
Green and black . . .
Queen and priest . . .
Trace of rouge . . .
Face of beast . . .
Faces . . .
Take your turn, take a ride
on the merry-go-round . . .
in an inhuman race . . .
Eye of gold . . .
Thigh of blue . . .
True is false . . .
Who is who . . .?
Curl of lip . . .
Swirl of gown . . .
Ace of hearts . . .
Face of clown . . .
Faces . . .
Drink it in, drink it up,
till you've drowned
in the light . . .
in the sound . . .
Rouge haired man/Blue Hair woman:
But who can name the face . . .?
ALL
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds . . .
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads . . .
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!
Masquerade!
Seething shadows
breathing lies . . .
Masquerade!
You can fool
any friend who
ever knew you!
Masquerade!
Leering satyrs,
peering eyes . . .
Masquerade!
Run and hide -
but a face will
still pursue you!]
I saw a light blue hair woman with her hair fully down that was a little wavy that went to her hip with a man with rouge hair that went down to his chin both leave the crowd:
[Woman: Think of it
A secret engagement
Look, your future bride.
Just think of it
Man: But, why a secret?
What have we to hide?
Woman: No, please. Please don't let them see
Man: Well let them see.
It's an engagement, not a crime
My dear, what are you afraid of?
Both: Let's no argue
Woman: Please pretend Man: I can only hope
Both: You will understand in time.]
They both went back to the Atlantian group and began to sing and dance with all of them:
[Chorus: Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world
will never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade
Masquerade!
Look around,
there's another mask
behind you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
Spinning reds
Masquerade!
Take your fill,
let the spectacle
astound you!]
They all ended in an extravagant poses. Then one of them who had a wolf masquerade mask came in front of the whole group. By the way his hair and body looked I could tell that it was Lucian. He announced to the all of the party guest. "People of the world. Our empress has come to the conclusion to make a man a ruler of our country. Please allow me to introduce the date of our empress, Ren Kouen." Then the man who was with the blue haired woman came forward. He wore a fox mask with a matching red suit. He didn't take off his mask but only bowed to the whole group. "Our empress is hidden among us and she will be talking to you all as well in disguise. Have a great night," Lucian finished.
All of the Atlantians left the dance floor and began to talk to anyone they could, while I went up to the blue hair woman. She wore a pure white ball gown that had a sweetheart neckline with shear at the top a little scoop. It had a lot of gems at the top from the top of her waist to her shoulders. Her mask was pure white, had feathers around it with silver twisting and a big pearl on the forehead. It had a giant rose on the right side of her head and had big stones and the top of the sides that came up. When I went up to her I noticed that one of her eyes was red while the other was lavender. "Wonderful party, isn't it? I'm dreadfully sorry about my empire's actions, but our empress had her orders," she told me. I smiled and nodded and so did she. She then turned her heels and then went to talk to other guest. The night went very smoothly and I watched the blue haired woman all night and then I saw a man with long purple hair and a golden mask that only covered his eyes. I could tell by his hair and attire that it was Sinbad. He went up to the woman who was currently dancing with who I thought was Spartos. Sinbad tapped on her shoulder and bowed. I then used my magic to heightened my senses to see and hear them better. "Sorry to interrupted, but may I ask for the next dance." The blue haired woman only nodded and he took her hand and then I heard the band play a slow sad song. I then heard Sinbad begin to sing:
[Sinbad: You're in my arms
And all the world is gone
The music playing on for only two
So close together and when I am with you
So close to feeling alive
Our lives go by
Romantic dreams will stop
And I'll bid my goodbyes and never knew
So close to waiting
Waiting here with you
And now forever I know
All that I want it to hold you
So close
So close to reaching that famous happy end
Almost believing this one's not pretend
And now you're beside me
And look how far we've come
So far, we are so close]
Sinbad picked up the blue haired woman and began to spin with her in the air. When he put her down she twirled her around and I saw that she had a giant smile on her face. When the music slowed down. Sinbad looked deeply at her and then embraced her and belted:
[Oh, how can I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now
We're so close
To reaching that famous happy end
Almost believing this one's not pretend
Let's go on dreaming
For we know we are…so close
So close and still so far]
The blue haired woman pushed herself off a little and then just shook her head. I saw her look over to the stage and I saw Inuyasha go on and he nodded his head at her. She then began to sing while doing that weird dance from my dream away from Sinbad:
[E: Ooo
Inuyasha: I heard someone crying
Who though could it be
Maybe it was mother
Calling out come see
Maybe it was father
All alone and lost and cold
I heard someone crying
Maybe it was me]
I then looked over and saw Sinbad to do that weird dance as well to express himself:
[Sinbad: I heard someone singing
Who though could it be
Maybe it was Sera
Calling out to me
Maybe she's not go
So far away as I've been told
I heard someone singing
Maybe it was she
Inuyasha: Maybe it was someone
I could find and have a cup of tea
Maybe it was someone who
Could bring the tea and come find me
E: I heard someone crying
Though I can't say who
Someone in this house
With nothing left to do
Sounded like a lover
Left alone his love grown cold
I heard someone crying
Maybe it was you]
She sang that last line extending her hand directly to me:
[Sinbad and Inuyasha: Maybe I was dreaming of
A garden growing far below
Maybe I was dreaming of
A life that I will never know
Inuyasha (E) Sinbad:
I heard someone calling Sera, where are you, I'm lost without you
Who tho' could it be (Who…) I can't walk these halls without you
Someone in this house (Ooo...) Sera, where are you, I'm lost without you
Who no one seems to see (Ooo...) I have searched the world but you're not there
Someone no one seemed to (Ooo...) Come and tell me why you
Hear except for me (Ooo...) Brought me home if you're not here
I heard someone calling () My Sera, where are you, I'm lost without you
Maybe it was he () Sera, I am lost
(Ooo...) Without you
(Ooo...)]
I looked over to hear Sinbad begin another dance and sang to the blue haired woman:
[Sinbad: You have come here
In pursuit of your deepest urge
In pursuit of that wish which till now has been silent, silent
I have brought you
That our passions may fuse and merge
In your mind you've already succumbed to me
Dropped your defenses, completely succumbed to me
And now you are here with me
No second thoughts
You've decided, decided]
He grabbed the blue haired woman's hand and began to do the new weird dance that had them being so close that a feather couldn't dropped in between them:
[Sinbad: Past the point of no return
No backward glances
Our games of make-believe are at an end
Passed all thought of if or when, no use resisting
Abandon thought and let the dream descend
What raging fire shall flood the soul?
What rich desire unlocks it's door?
What sweet seduction lies before us?
Passed the point of no return, the final threshold
What warm unspoken secrets will we learn?
Beyond the point of no return]
Sinbad went in for a kiss until E pushed herself away:
[E: You have brought me
To that moment where words run dry
To that moment where speech disappears
Into silence, silence
I have come here, hardly knowing the reason why
In my mind I've already imagined
Our bodies entwining defenseless and silent
And now I am here with you
No second thoughts
I've decided, decided]
She then did a sexy walk to the beat that the band was playing:
[E: Passed the point of no return, no going back now
Our passion play has now at last begun
Passed all thought of right or wrong, one final question
How long should we two wait, before we're one?]
E was then behind Sinbad:
[E: When will the blood begin to race?
The sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames at last consume us?]
Sinbad then grabbed her hands and began to sing with her:
[Both: Passed the point of no return, the final threshold
The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn
We've passed the point of no return]
E snatched her hands away from him. He looked very hurt. Sinbad stepped towards her and then grabbed one of her hands and stroked her cheek.
[Sinbad: Say you'll share with me
One love, One lifetime
Lead me save me from my solitude
Say you want me with you here
Beside you
Anyway you go let me go to
Serafeim, that's all I ask of you]
E took two steps behind and then turn and walked away, leaving Sinbad alone on the dance floor. I saw that all of the others from Atlantis trying to change the topics with whoever they were speaking to. I went out to find E with her white hair in act. She was crying but she trying to compose herself. Her ring that was a soft pink stone that was in the shape of a heart with a golden band. Her ring began to glow. Her eyes turned into a pretty blue and her dress changed into a black shear gown with a white underskirt. The outer shear had some tiny crystal and the top had black and white gems. Her hair changed to a black haft do and her mask changed into a black and white with swirls and it had to be tied in the back. She just went back in and conversed with other guest while just ignoring Sinbad the whole night. After the party when I saw E, I went back up to her and she just smiled at me, "Don't worry. Everything is going according to my plan. I just hope that the gods will forgive me for my deceitful nature." A single tear fell down her face as she finished her statement and that's when I knew that E was destroying herself for everyone's own good.
Author's Note:
I do not own anything except for E. This was a long chapter. I knew that I wanted this big of a confrontation with E and Sinbad. I have a love/hate relationship with both of them. I knew I wanted the masquerade party. I also loved all of the songs in this chapter. What will happen in the future? Will E continue to destroy herself, or will she allow her own happiness? Will she and Sinbad continue to fight or come together? What will happen with Ren Kouen and E?
Note:
*- This is from another great anime called Fushigi Yuugi. If you like romance with fighting this is good for you. This show has its cliches but it is good.
Song List:
Once Upon Another Time - Love Never Dies
Beneath A Moonless Sky - Love Never Dies
Til I Hear You Sing - Love Never Dies (I really love the songs from this show)
How Could I Ever Know - The Secret Garden
Burn - Hamilton
It's Over, Isn't It? - Steven Universe
If I Can't Love Her - Beauty and the Beast
A Girl In A Valley - The Secret Garden
Any Moment - Into The Woods
It's Quiet Uptown - Hamilton
What Is Love - Veronika Bozeman
Masquerade - The Phantom of The Opera
So Close - Jon McLaughlin
I Heard Someone Crying - The Secret Garden
The Point of No Return - Phantom of The Opera