Wandering Pilot

by Mercaba

Waking up in an open field a weary pilot finds a trio of shapes moving in the distance, following them a whole new and adventure awaits them all

34. Chapter 34

Standard Disclaimer

First chapter of this little story for the year and it's a return to main plot and progression. Work is finishing off a major delivery of code and I spent a lot of time working defects…and was successful! And getting a new board game via kickstarter called B-Seiged looking forward to it!

X-X

Wandering Pilot

Chapter – 34

Life had changed, it happened for the better, and Annelotte was confused by how to react to it. She was not made for softer things, she was a leader, a warrior, and a tactician. A doe eyed lover never factored into her plans for deposing the queen, her lover being the queen's husband also didn't even come to her in her deepest fever dream. And yet, she woke up this morning with him in her arms, cradling his thin slip of a body against hers and reveled in its warmth. Little over a week since they had their 'date', the trio found themselves approaching another city through some sparse woods. The sun hadn't risen yet, but she already felt him start to stir.

"Going to get up and start to cook for us again, my little squire?" Annelotte kissed the back of his head. Oh she saw his actions in a different light now. She saw everything in a different light, and that was the problem for her. Her analytical mind was going into overdrive, scenarios playing out for good and bad just based on who he gave food to first. If he gave Tiina her supper first, did it mean Tiina was more important to him or was it just that the mermaid sat closer to him? When they made love, Annelotte was on her back with him over her…was he trying to dominate her or was it just her lack of skill? "I need to relax, Master trusts him to let her do what she wants…I can do the same," Annelotte shut her eyes.

Stupid, she was being stupid and she hated feeling that way! But this was all new to her, unexpected and wholly alien to her. Sword in hand, forces to lead she had no questions…put her in a meadow in a forest with the man she had such powerful feelings for…she just shut down in over analyze. Basking in his warmth, he was a small furnace under the thin blanket they shared, she yawned and snuggled closer. Tiina and she had a little system set up, they alternated days unless one of them had a bigger 'need'. To fearful of coming on strong, Annelotte so far never had such a need so Shinji and she only slept in the same bedding three times. But she could get used to this, it was so…so…

"Annelotte-san, going to wake up and have some breakfast?" Shinji gently prodded her shoulder. The smells of cooking meat and eggs filled her nose with their pungent delicacies, angels she loved his 'scrambled' eggs. But her rather startled wakening, Annelotte shot up quickly, head colliding with Shinji's, sent him recoiling back to the ground grabbing his forehead. After the shock went away, he laughed a little, "Did I startle you?"

Fixing her hair, a silver brush in hand, Tiina tittered jovially, "I haven't seen you sleep so soundly in some time. Starting to understand why I ask as much as I do?" The mermaid and the warrior kept their little agreement a secret from the commodity being traded between them. Never did they want to feel like they were pressuring or forcing him to do something. Shinji was far too accommodating to both of them, they both knew that and agreed to try and meet him halfway. Stretching her hands up high, she bounced just that little bit that got Annelotte thinking again, what if Shinji preferred them that size, "Food is nearly ready. And I took a small flight up, we are not far from town, its flying the queens colors."

"Then it will be best if we avoid all going in together. Likely best if we send Shinji in to get some supplies and meet us somewhere. We can use those communication devices of his to make a plan," Annelotte's head still hurt a little. How few points would Alleyne have given her for falling into such unguarded sleep? One moment she was awake and basking in the bliss of her budding romance, next she was passed out. Gathering her gear, she headed to behind a tree to dress then stopped…why bother? Was he going to see something he hadn't already? Was Tiina going to get upset? So she just stripped and changed right there, oh she got a thrill out of that! He went full red in the face, blushing and averting his eyes as Tiina smiled at her. Unsteady with the sudden boldness of action, "That alright with both of you?"

How he could be so skilled in the softer things and still be so bashful about them, Annelotte didn't know, but Shinji was all flustered. Quickly filling two plates of food, Shinji kept his eyes down, "That sounds the best option. We have plenty of money for the little food we need, so you won't have to c-cry Tiina-chan." Those pearls were lovely, but hard to sell at times and left a trail of their passing. Mermaid tears were rare, and a series of towns with them gave away the trio's movement. "Anything special either of you want?" Shinji sat down next to Tiina and helped himself to a little food.

"You should eat more, Shinji," Annelotte waved her spoon at him threateningly. Oh the menace of that spoon left all three snickering again, this felt so good. Good friends, something Annelotte just never had for so prolonged a time. Yuit came close, but that was ages ago, she was a different person back then. Sitting on the log on Shinji's other side, she fixed her cloak, and started eating, "You truly were made to cook." She bounced her shoulder off his, and he collided with Tiina from the force. Oh angels how much did that Holy Milk strengthen her? Part of her body just was starved for it! It was filling the holes in her physique like plaster over porous stone.

Guiltily looking at her almost empty plate, the cooking pot, and then to Shinji, Tiina opened her mouth then stopped. Shinji saw that and acted much against their wishes and refilled both Tiina's plate and added the remainder to Annelotte's. "I don't need to eat as much. Compared to you two I hardly do anything really. Carrying bags and cooking is hardly the same as flying and training," Shinji picked at his meager food listlessly. Did he not have an appetite or something? Even that little food he wasn't going to finish.

"You do more than that, Guppy," Tiina's tail came back and thrashed about. Whenever she got flustered or frustrated the mermaid lost control of her legs. She hated when Shinji put himself down in comparison to either Annelotte or herself…but they did see he had a point. Wasn't it the way of things? The warriors and soldiers got the lion's share of the meal while the squires and pages got the scrapes. Support was needed, but it never got the recognition it deserved. Leaning against Shinji, her tail buttressed up against his leg, "As for what to get…why don't you get something you like for a change. You don't have to spoil us all the time. It's alright to be selfish from time to time."

Conversation shifted to easier things, and they finished eating and cleaning up the camp. Masking their camp, making it look long deserted or even just natural occurrence was essential. They couldn't allow themselves to be followed or tracked, they had to much to lose. Once everything was up to Annelotte's specifications, Shinji packed up his gear and pulled up his cloak's hood. Turning off the soft music, both Tiina and Annelotte frowned at that, they left their clearing. "You have your…what was this thing called again?" Annelotte held the plastic device in her hand. His science was so strange and odd looking when compared to what she knew.

"Walkie-talkie," Shinji pulled out the matching set in the pair. "I have them setup already, so all we have to do is push the button and talk," he pushed the button on his. The thing in Annelotte's hand screamed to life and his voice came over crystal clear. His eyes had a sparkle to them, it took away from the bags under them, "They have much better range here than in my world, nothing gets in the way with it."

Plucking the device from Annelotte's hand, Tiina cooed and rubbed the plastic device to her cheek, "Amazing! It's a lot like my microphone! Does it really cover a large ground?" She handed it back to Annelotte. Curtseying when Shinji pulled a branch out of the way for them, she let her hand gently caress his arm as she past.

"Few miles, more than we'll need," Shinji admitted as he put his away. Annelotte passed him next as he held the branch for her as well, and their eyes met. Such caring and emotion in those eyes, yet haunted by something. Annelotte could relate, they had both seen much, suffered much, and had troubles yet to address. When she hadn't moved yet, "Annelotte-san, something wrong?" he asked carefully.

Why didn't he use that 'friendly' moniker with her as he did with Tiina? Was the level of closeness so different between them? Was she doing something wrong that needed correction? She didn't want to lose this feeling, this trust and closeness she was just starting to fully appreciate! "Just wondering…those suffixes you use…why do you use a different one for me than her?" Annelotte wasn't the type to keep silent on things. Passing through the bush she waited for him to join, she was watching him a lot lately. Worried he was in danger, that he needed her protection.

"R-respect really. You're a leader, you're our primary g-guard. I wouldn't want to offend you by over stepping my bounds," Shinji's body went ridged and taught. Troubled, he was troubled by the question, the fear just radiated out of him. Closing the distance between them, Shinji spoke softly while they all knew Tiina could still hear, it was the principle, "Even after we've…come to accept our feelings. I didn't want to take liberties. Tiina-chan insisted I call her that…did you…did you want me to call you the same?"

Confounded emotions! She was making a mountain out of a molehill! "You may call me whatever you wish. But when just us…" she blushed as she took his hand. By the spirits his hand was so wondrous to hold, again Tiina had been holding out on her. These simple things were so darling, she could get to like this. Maybe if Master rejoined them they could take down the tyrant and retire to a life of…wait. She was putting the cart before the horse. The snapping of twigs got her attention, "Hold, I hear something!" She heard two sets of something to be precise. An oddly familiar voice in the trees, but that was just her nerves getting to her, no way Luna-Luna was tracking them. The other sound was…

"Halt there! You three come out in the name of the queen!" a small troupe of the queen's solders were making a patrol of the forest. More than she would like to fight on her own, more than she thought it safe to fight even with her allies. The troupe advanced on them as they stood paused, "It's the rebel leader! Get her!"

How did they know it was her? Could they see through…through…oh wait she didn't put her hood back up. Bollux! "Run! We follow the plan!" Annelotte gave Shinji a solid shove away from her. No reason to change the plan now, they were going to split up for now anyway, so might as well keep at it. And they were after her right, if she could take the heat away from Shinji and Tiina it would leave them safer. Rushing down the path the solders had been following she saw most of them behind her.

Over the din of action and rustling leaves, Annelotte hoped it was her imagination when she heard one of the women calling out about 'the healer is here too'. Just her nerves, that is all. Running right into another patrol, great she was surrounded. Drawing her blade, "I don't wish to fight you. I am only seeking passage through here on my way. Don't make me hurt you!" They were trained yes, but no match for her now!

"Stay away from onii-san!" a familiar high pitched voice called out from the woods. The call was chorus by a deep throated roar and a flying fist that left a crater in the ground. Bursting through the treeline, Vante with Yuit on her back, scattered the queen's red clad patrol. The haughty voice laughed mockingly, "You should have listened to onii-san…you…you…a lot more of you than expected." Yuit most have only seen part of the mix.

Seeing a hole in their ranks, Annelotte cast one last look down the path and forced her body to act. She couldn't worry about him all the time, he was capable enough right? Bother! "Quick follow me!" Annelotte ordered and they rushed through the opening in the ranks. She couldn't hear the golem running, but she heard the whir of the things flying engines. Rushing off the path and back into the woods, she felt lashes of twigs and branches smash off her face and cut her cheek. But she lead the way, finding a drop off into a river, she took the plunge and took to a small hallow in the ridge. It was earthy and full of insects and clingy plants, but it was dark. "Be quiet, they'll lose us," she hoped at least. Yuit…her oldest friend.

They waited there for a few minutes, the sound of approaching solders came and thankfully left. They had gotten away from their pursuers! "Onii-san…is it really you? You've come back?" Yuit didn't have her typical attitude, it was a small child calling out for a long lost loved one.

"I'm traveling yes, and your…yourself?" Annelotte wasn't good with these type of things! What was she to say to her cherished friend, the one she had left so long ago. Oh and what that up until recently though she a boy? "Y-Yuit?" Annelotte asked softly as Yuit dove into her chest hugging her. Well her smaller size meant she was rubbing something that she now knew were quite sensitive when teased. But she couldn't just tell Yuit to stop, it'd be wrong. "J-just do as you please" she submitted to her spoiled friends demands, silly small elf tribe. Yuit did just that, and continued to rub against her, climb up for a more appropriate hug. And after she calmed down, and they got out of the water explained things.

She was going to the capital to find her missing friend, and recover her mother's power gem. Interesting, but dangerous. The capital wasn't a place for Yuit and her odd yet content looking robotic companion. Drying off in the sun, Yuit continued to cling to her as Vante stood guard, Yuit talked...and talked…and talked afraid to let the air fill with silence less Annelotte run away. It was good though, to hear from her. But as they redonned their clothing, the tiny Yuit still looked like the little child she had known all those years ago asked the question, "Are you leaving again?"

"I…have my mission. For now I must see to it," Annelotte hated seeing the sudden sadness in the young elf's face, it hurt her heart. With so few people in her life still alive…hurting any was devastating. But Annelotte wouldn't put Yuit at risk. She was fighting this rebellion to give Yuit a better world, one not under the yolk of oppression…she had to succeed to protect her friends happiness.

X-X

Laying in her posh bed, the cold morning air wafted in through her window, but Asuka didn't move to cover herself. Just let the chill work its way into her exposed chest and her flesh break out in gooseflesh. It felt nice to actually 'feel' something. Another mission complete, more rebels exposed and either jailed or vanished. Her hands were technically still clean, she never killed in cold blood, but she didn't really feel like the shimmering knight she used to. Initially she took out people she saw as traitors or threats, now it was just anybody that dared talk back. She wasn't sympathetic to them though, just bored. Some great mission, hunt down a sniveling old man that wrote papers that hinted that Leina should have been queen.

"I've your breakfast Asuka," her man of the previous night came into her chambers. Garbed in a loose fitting robe and carrying a tray of food, the man had a smile a mile wide. Not everybody got to sleep with the second in command of the Serpents of the Fang. Popping a grape from the tray into his mouth, he sat down on the bed where he slept. Setting the tray next to her, he leaned over hovering right over her face, "Last night was wonder-ugh!"

Slamming her fist into the side of his head, the man went spinning off the bed and rolling on the ground. "Did I say you could kiss me? Didn't I tell you specifically NOT to do that?" Asuka rolled off to the cold floor. In her nude glory she towered over the larger man. A step up from Kaji in looks and physique, but he had just been a body. Clenching here queasy stomach, "You did so well in listening to me last night, but now you've wrecked it. Did you think that it meant something? Do you think I even know your name?" She kicked him in the chin and he went spinning.

"I-I'm sorry, Asu," another foot to the face shut the man up, this time his nose burst out a fount of red. Grabbing at his shattered face, he got up on his hands and legs and tried to bat away the incoming blows.

Grabbing his hands, she pushed some pressure points after he got a handful of hair, "My name is Soryu, you do NOT have the privilege of using my first name. Just because I let you put your little pig sticker in me doesn't change anything. Now get out of here before you bleed on everything." She let her mental powers flex and sensed his emotions. It was always odd to scan a mind, they were never the same and even the same mind could feel different. Right now she sensed a horrible intent, a murderous one. Her little toy didn't like being talked down to, didn't like being considered cast off. "Or did you think I actually had feelings for you?" she walked back over to her bed and waited.

She didn't have to wait long, as the man pulled a small dagger out of his shoe and pounced at her. "You ungrateful cunt! I've heard the rumors about you being Lady Elina's pet bitch! Lets see how she…" he stopped as Asuka's own dagger pierced his throat. The handle of her brush was sharpened to a deadly edge, but looked perfectly harmless. So as he saw her reaching something to appease her vanity, she was actually defending herself from his intent to rip her from groin to sternum. Gripping her hands, slick with his own blood, he sputtered out some attempts at words then just went limp.

"Take care of this mess, and have his unit broken apart and assimilated into other squads," Asuka called out to the woman she knew was outside in the hall. Not to be disappointed, two women clad in the garb of the Fang hurried in and collected the would be assassin. Dipping her hands in the bowl of water by her mirror, she cleaned and dried her hand. Was this her life now? Being at Elina's beck and call, and whenever she wanted some faux affection of her own they took offense and attacked her? "This place truly is barbaric," insult a man's masculinity and he tried to kill you. She had a few men now, most were one time use then release, a few she had a second go with, it never worked out. They always expected more, she didn't want that.

Eating listlessly from the tray, most of it got covered when she hit the carotid artery, Asuka just didn't have the stomach for food. "I'll have to see those holy ladies, I'm coming down with something," she felt sick. Finding the man's belongings in a pile by her bed, he had been on mission with her and taken her fancy with a few well timed jokes, she'd almost miss him. "But I don't need anybody, I only need myself," she put her armor on and found her gauntlets. Stupid Ayanami just had to leave, rebuffed her friendship a second time! All for what? That stupid wisp of a boy.

"Why is everything so easy for him," Asuka crushed an apple in her hand and chucked it out the window. Everything just fell into place for him, fate bowed down and gave him blessings, where she had to constantly watch her back. No matter, she'd show him, show him that he was nothing here now, not compared to her. Her hand went to her healed eye and paused as she felt a momentary bout of weakness. Go back to Tokyo-3, be with her old friends, see Kaji again, bitch at Misato again, not be…not be here. Pounding her fist against one another, "No! This…this is my home now!"

Giving up now would be wrong, this place was better. A knock on her door grabbed her attention, "What is it?" Opening the door, the trail of her previous night lead down the hall, but the woman was not one of the two that took the man. This was one of the queen's women. Was it another mission already, normally she had a few days to relax.

"You've been requested to see the Iron Strategist at your earliest convenience, ma'am," the woman kept her head down in fear. For a moment, Asuka touched the woman's shoulder and she looked up with a hint of confusion. Beautiful, all the women the queen employed were lovely. Purple eyes and short green hair, a petite frame, and two chakram at her side. A slight quiver in her voice as she asked, "D-did you need something Lady Soryu?"

Was this how Elina felt with most of her toys? Asuka throught so. But aside from Elina, Asuka would not suffer another woman's touch. Friendship maybe, she could order this timid thing to hang out with her, to talk with her. "Your name, page, what is your name?" Asuka breezed past her down to the dwarf's little lab. Asuka hated Ymir, the condescending bitch of a woman, with a growing passion. Always mocking, always fucking with people, and sometimes she got the impression Ymir was watching her.

"H-Hillary, ma'am," the woman kept pace but kept a respectable distance at all times. If Asuka slowed, she slowed, nearly ran was right behind but winded, a good servant.

Descending the stares to Ymir's layer, Asuka turned to the woman, "Hillary? Good name. I'll remember it." Dismissing the woman, Asuka hoped she'd not have another old man or woman to bring in, maybe she'd talk to that girl or something. She couldn't do the same with the Fang, they saw her as their leader when Elina was gone or busy. Asuka trained them in her martial arts, took care of the big targets, and was seen with such admiration it would be like talking to a wall or those lackeys back in Tokyo-3.

"Took your time getting here, Soryu. And did I hear right and you killed another one this morning? You're quite the murderer," Ymir called out from her current subject. The current mockery of science was a mere slip of a girl in perverse red armor and a helm adorned with wings. "Mirim here needs somebody to hit her to test my Hyper Vibration Crystal, and you're good for nothing other than hitting things," Ymir finished attaching the last of the armor with a satisfied half smile.

Having a lot of her flesh exposed, the girl had tears in her eyes as she whined, "I can't do this! Miss Ymir, I'm not a fighter, it's not possible." Cringing away from Asuka as she approached, Mirim shuffled further away until she tripped and fell on her face.

"This is why you're bothering me this morning? What that axe of yours just for show or something, or is it you've grown to weak to use it?" Asuka eyed up the target. Color scheme was close to her own, but it had a nice Norse look to it, even if it suffered from this world's problem of making it look impractical and far to exposed. Poking one of the glowing gems softly, Asuka raised an eyebrow to the dwarf, "I told you I don't kill, I protect myself. And this girl isn't capable of threatening anybody except you maybe."

Grabbing a controller and hitting a few buttons, Ymir let out a shrill laugh, "Coward are you? I guarantee you won't be able to hurt her." From the sounds coming from the girl now, Asuka started to wonder if Ymir just made a pleasure suit of some kind. Girl was mewling. Pointing to a table that held a very unwieldy looking blade, "If she was using Infinite Slasher she'd be easily able to beat you. She has the ultimate defense. Maybe enough to replace you, just need her to agree to be Elina's pet. Pay her enough she just might."

"Won't be hurt?" Asuka took the bait and pulled back, "If you're wrong you'll be take her to see those clerics!" Asuka swung in with all her might and as she neared hitting the girl she saw something awfully familiar…a shield erupted between her target and her fist. It wasn't an AT Field, but it was close…damn close! That's when the rebound happened and all her power went back into her, sending her bouncing off flying towards the wall like a bullet. Guarding herself with her gauntlets, she plowed through the wall and buffered herself from harm as best she could. Dazed and dulled, "The fuck just happened?"

The girl continued to quiver and let out whimpers as she collapsed to the ground with steam pouring off of her. "Excellent test, Soryu, you're totally ineffective against her. Now pick up Slasher and your Vibration Shield, we have a meeting with the royal sisters. If you dust yourself off and want to join us, maybe you can demonstrate your uselessness again," Ymir gloated as she all but dragged Mirim out of the room.

"Bitch, I'll flay her alive," Asuka grunted as she pushed some rubble off her. Her pride more damaged than she was, it was enough though. If she didn't follow along Ymir would say something to Elina or worse Claudette about her, she couldn't have that. Elina…was confusing to Asuka. Using her powers, Asuka learned she had more psychic powers than Elina had. The youngest Vance could cause a brain to pop, that was about it. Asuka could do the same, but so much more. And scanning Elina during one of their little…sessions…Asuka was stunned to learn that Elina held her in crazy high regard and affection. Below her sisters as expected, Elina cared about her nearly as much. And aside from Claudette and her, Claudette being very distant, Elina had nobody either. That camaraderie was what kept Asuka from pushing the woman away. "If only Ayanami stayed though…" frowning, Asuka pushed that away.

Cleaning herself off as best she could, Asuka found the stupid dwarf presenting her Hyper Valkyrie to the queen and Elina. Claudette terrified Asuka, the woman had NO emotion other than oppressive. Beauty beyond words, the crystals around her face and the glamorous outfit just exuded power. "Your highnesses," Asuka bowed showing her ability to listen and follow the rules. Elina's eyes danced over her, that did get a little creepy.

"Oh you were going to make it. I almost thought you wouldn't," Ymir had her stupid controller in hand. Stepping away from Asuka's claw range, she went back to her sales pitch. "As I was saying before the interruption. With the crystal augmentations, this armor makes the subject totally immune to damage, and her sword is automatically controlled meaning she had no equal in combat," Ymir's confidence was not something that could be measured.

Twirling her lance in a fine circle, Elina scoffed, "You think this slip of a girl has no equal? Any number of the Fang could take care of her!" Stepping closer to Claudette, Elina did give Asuka a queer look at the light dust covering she had about her.

"If you're so certain lady Elina," Ymir turned to Asuka and that smirk was near insane. For a moment Asuka could foresee what was going to happen. The dwarf would recommend Asuka hit it again and then her humiliation would repeat itself. Trying to scan Ymir never worked, but Asuka didn't need to be psychic to know this. "How about…" Ymir's voice was cut short.

Grabbing the handle of her mighty zweinhander, Claudette's tone was flat and filled all with worry. "No, I will do this," Claudette didn't swing, just pointed the tip at Mirim. A moment later a blast of lightning struck the woman I the chest and sent her flying through several pillars and into the wall behind them. When Mirim stood up, Claudette set her blade down and Elina gasped. Even Claudette's thunderclap couldn't hurt the girl, only certain things could break through and AT Field…now that she knew it was similar Asuka thought she could do it. "I will think on this, take her and await orders. Elina let us go," Claudette and Elina left the room.

"Just a matter of time before you're cast out. What good will you be once Elina grows tired of you? We've a counter to your insipid strength now. What do you have to offer other than your body now. You can't even produce Holy Milk like your superior off-worlder," Ymir gloated and ran off to collect her fallen test subject.

Growling under her breath, Asuka returned to her room and the scrolls she had requested from the grand library were there. How she was able to read the odd language Asuka didn't know, she was just glad she could. It helped her to train her mind, to produce more powers to counter her foes. Oh just try sending that Valkyrie at her again and see if that shield protects the girl's mind! Putting fears into a subjects head, making them see visions, and pulling out secrets was a growing skill. "Actually, lets go see about this now," Asuka closed her book after two hours of study.

But she found Ymir's lab empty, and one of the pages ran up to her as per her orders. "Mistress Soryu, he has been spotted in a Solel city along with Annelotte," Asuka had orders for the Fang and the common grunt. If Shinji was found, let her know…she'd worry about Mirim and Ymir later! She had somebody to go great!

X-X

Alright wandering through the woods for several hours did not help him find Tiina or Annelotte. Great, just great what did he do now? Stupid patrol took a lot longer to lose than expected, and now he was separated and had no real plan. Just about how his life was right now wasn't it? This rebellion was the driving force keeping him moving and lost in the thick of things. He loved Tiina, he cared greatly for Annelotte, but he had been separated from where he wanted to go. "Where are all the others, where is Leina-chan?" Shinji pouted as sat down in a pile of leaves.

Things were good, very good for him and he wasn't going to lie about that. Just he wanted to know, and this never ending chase of the queen's army and the rebels was taxing. If he could talk to Claudette would that help at all? He didn't know, but he would honor Alleyne's request and aid Annelotte. "What would she think about what happened though?" Shinji doubted Alleyne expected Annelotte and he to progress as much as they did. Opening his bag he pulled out the last of the beef jerky they had, two mouthfuls, and put it back. Laying on his back, "I'll eat something in town…actually that's something."

Forcing himself to get back up, angels he was tired since the stupid nightmares didn't stop, he spotted some tall towers in the sky. "I can get the supplies and maybe find Tiina-chan in the city," he yawned. He wasn't really hungry, he hadn't felt the need to eat in days so he had to force himself to eat. Whatever that little curse in him was doing it liked to change from time to time. A crackling sound reminded him of something else. Pulling out his walkie-talkie, "Annelotte-chan?" He was going to try to follow her request. Damned if she didn't cause his mind such contention. She was so much like Leina but at the same time so different! And now they were…he could only hope Leina forgave him.

"So that is how you work this confounded thing. Shinji, I've found Yuit and we're currently talking. How are Tiina and you?" Annelotte sounded more than a little vexed. A giggling laugh far to high pitched to be Annelotte was followed by a mighty roar that was far to feminine to be an animal. Then Annelotte did yelp quite cutely, "Yuit please be careful where you touch! I'm…sensitive…oh bother did I say that over this stupid thing?"

Well Annelotte was quite sensitive, Shinji learned that. Another thing Leina and she had in common. Lighting pinch the left and lick the right upward at the same time and she was putty in his hands. "Don't worry about it, Annelotte-san," she had company so best show proper respect. Her image had to project power and authority, calling her soft things would undermine that. Spotting movement up ahead of him, Shinji got behind a tree and pulled up his hood. Whispering over the line, "I've not found Tiina-san yet, but I'm going to the city to get the supplies we need. Hopefully I can see her up in the sky. That sound good?"

"Sounds good. I'll keep looking up to the skies. If I see her I'll fire off another of those flares of yours. If you find her let me know over this HEY what did I tell you about touching me like…" and Annelotte's side went dark. Well, not like he needed to know anything else. If he saw a flare Annelotte found her, if he found her he'd let her know. But a very exasperated Annelotte came back on the line, "Oh…we can meet at the mountain pass to the east of town. We can…go to Hinomoto before we go to the capital. Alright?"

Spotting the incline and the pass in question, Shinji nodded then realized she didn't see him. Blushing at his stupidity, "Y-yeah that's fine. I'll meet you there. Stay safe." Turning down the volume of the walkie-talkie, he put it back in his bag and stalked closer to the cloaked figure walking down the road. Who was this now, why were they hiding? Judging from how they kept looking behind them, they were either being followed or they were worried they were. That's when the girl tripped on a rock and went spinning along the ground in a daze. Something was odd about her movements, she just wasn't moving like a normal person, very restrictive. "You need any help?" Shinji called out as gently as he could.

"Huh-who-where!?" the girl panicked. Trying to get up, she tripped over her cape again and actually rolled head over heels towards Shinji. Crashing into a tree stump right by him, her cloak fell away showing quite the unique armor set. Red armor bits with a helmet with metallic wings on it, very much like the games Kensuke made him play with the 'fantasy armor' that showed way to much skin. Head wobbling around, "Where am I? Who is there?"

Helping the girl to sit up, only touching her cloak just to be polite, Shinji steadied her and every so gently healed her. It was more to get her head clear rather than any real injury as she seemed fine. "We're right outside a city. My name is Shinji," he learned not to say his last name. A few people did know his family name now, and this girl could be acting. She was quite cute, but that armor did scream dangerous. Helping her stand up, she wobbled but didn't fall, "You need any help?"

Finally seeing Shinji's face under his hood, she blinked a few times and took a few steps away and nearly fell again. "I'm just trying to get back to my hometown. I can…ask about where it is from here in town," she quickly put her hood back up. Gazing down the road from which she came, she sighed in relief.

"Well I'm heading to town to, I need to get some supplies. Would it be alright if we travel together? I could keep an eye on the road with you," Shinji hoped he wasn't sticking his foot into something here. Was the girl acting or was she genuinely this naive? Taking a moment, he grabbed that jerky and offered it to the girl, in for the penny in for the pound.

Gobbling up the food, she patted her stomach contently, "I won't stop you from coming this way…Shi-Shingi?" She tilted her head to the sound, confused, "Shin-ji?"

Not the first person to have issues with his name, Shinji just waved it off. "Don't worry about it, it's not a normal name so I'm used to people having trouble with it. So should we be off?" Shinji gestured to the road to town. With a quick head nod, they started walking and it was slow going. "Miss are you…not comfortable in that armor?" he had to ask. She was moving so robotically and stiffly it was slowing them down considerably.

"Yeah, it's not something I like, but I don't have any other clothing with me. I was…working with somebody to try this out to help pay for food for my family," the girl tried to increase her speed only to fall against Shinji. Grabbing his hand to steady herself, she looked at it, at him, and just went full red in the face. "I'm sorry! Sorry! I didn't mean to…to…" yet she still held it to keep herself up.

Having gotten just a little over his touch issues, well when it's so casual, Shinji shifted his arm to link with hers. Cloth to steel, Shinji smiled at the girls utter innocence. If it was an act, he was fully under its sway. "Don't worry about it, I'll help until the road gets paved. Not good to fall on your face," she was cute he'd admit. Her whole body went stiff for a moment, then she walked even more robotically for a good quarter mile. After he let his curiosity get the better of him, and disliking the silence filled with her humming, "Are you running from something, miss?"

"Oh! I forgot to tell you my name didn't I? Sorry, sorry…you can call me Mirim," she was so flustered she waved her arms about and had Shinji not put a hand on her shoulder she'd have fallen again. Taking a step away from him, they could see the road up ahead, she took a deep steadying breath. Looking back behind her again, "And yeah I am. The lady that gave me this armor wanted me to fight my friend, but I won't. So…I ran and I'm worried she's coming after me."

Entering the town, Shinji couldn't help but notice how the crowd took notice of them. Not good, he didn't want to stand out in anyway and they were all spotting the cute and heavily armored girl with the 'olive' by her. "Well you should be able to lose her in a city like this, it's pretty big. Do you know where you want to go to find your way here?" he didn't want to abandon her if she needed help. But he saw more than one person see him and their eyes went wide. How far spread was Annelotte and his faces?

"Well I was thinking the church would be a good place to start. I've asked the nuns in my hometown questions from time to time. They were all really helpful!" Mirim gushed. Increasing her pace as more and more comments about them could be heard, she tripped again and just face planted again. "I hate this," she bemoaned.

Helping her up again, either that armor was super hard to move in or she was just the most uncoordinated person, Shinji dusted her off. "Well, I have some things to do, and the church is right ahead. I hope you find your way," Shinji was dubious of the church. With the exception of Melpha…another person he still hadn't seen yet…the church had not been very high on his places to visit.

"It…was nice talking to you Mr. Shinji. Maybe we'll see each other again," Mirim waved and ran very unsteadily towards the church. The church had been built into the rock of the mountain, quite large but very plain when compared to the grand cathedral of the capitol. She fell only one more time before entering the church, and Shinji hoped the next step on her way home.

Heading down some alleys, avoiding the crowd that had sprung up, Shinji made his way to the market. A big throng of people were mulling about, and unluckily for him was a troupe of the queen's solders. Those women were stopping everybody and checking their bags. Taking back to the alleys, bypassing as many of the check-points as he could. Finding a shop on the outskirts of the patrol area, he winced when the door had a bell on it that rang when we got in…wincing as he saw the proprietor was a young man that did not agree with shaving waiting. "B-busy outside," Shinji hiked his thumb behind him at the door.

"Yeah it has been since the queen's women took up residence here. They're waiting for somebody or something. Really put a hurt on business. Speaking of which, what can I do for you today?" the man rounded his counter and up to the lad. Helping Shinji get what food stock they had he had, they made small talk about the town and the times. Once Shinji had all the food he wanted, save a few sweets for Tiina and Annelotte he hoped to find, the man frowned a little, "And now it's time for me to be the bad guy here. You're quite familiar young man. Those ladies have us all wanted posters of you and the woman you travel with. I couldn't help but notice some pearls in your bag too…trade you the goods and my silence for them?"

And just like that Shinji's good mood took a dive. "I guess this is going to cost a lot more than I thought it would," he reluctantly pulled out a few of Tiina's pearls. Hopefully the man didn't see all of them, losing all their money would be a big pain. Even though it wasn't for long, Shinji hated seeing Tiina crying. Handing them over, Shinji saw the look of shame in the man's face. "Will this help you out that much?" Shinji had actually started to like the guy before this.

"Keep the kids fed and the wife from having to do something I don't want," the man jingled the pearls in his hand. It wasn't as if Shinji hadn't passed a few people 'of the night' on the streets already. When you need money, and have nothing else to sell, there is always that one last thing. As Shinji went to leave, the shopkeeper put a hand on his shoulder, "Sorry about this. But with the way things are I have no choice. I sympathize with the rebellion."

Trying to walk out the door, Shinji felt the man's grip tighten. "You have to do what you have to…but let this be the end of this. I don't want to hurt you," Shinji thumped his staff on the ground much of the stock fell over. That was when the man let go and his eye went wide. Nobody suspected Shinji capable of such devastation when they first met him, guy was likely going to try and turn him in for a bounty.

"This isn't a good thing," Shinji looked at his bag and felt that growing suspicion. Were they going to have to avoid all shops soon, who was responsible for all this hunting of them? Rushing out of the town as fast as he could, Shinji's heart nearly burst with relief as he saw a familiar sight in the air. Tiina as flying overhead actively scouting. "Tiina-chan!" he yelled out after her.

Flipping in the air gracefully, Tiina spotted her prey and flew right down at him with arms outstretched. "Guppy! I was getting worried I wouldn't find you!" she spun around him as she lifted him in the air. Hugging him tight, she kissed him before they both landed. "I've…some bad news too," her tail remained as it was.

"Bad news? Something happen in town?" Shinji held her hand and grew increasingly worried with her expression in her eyes. Tiina was so easy to read, well less so than himself but still simple enough. What she had to say wasn't happy, wasn't simple, and he wasn't going to like it.

Pulling an earring out of her small purse, Tiina put it in Shinji's hand and it matched the one in his own ear. "Word is the queen is advancing further on my father's realm. I…I need to honor his request and get him allies on the land. I knew I was supposed to, but since I've found you I was worried for you. But with Annelotte and you not at odds anymore I can leave you in her care until I can find Menace. She'll be able to help and then I'll be right back to you. But before I go…will you…" she swallowed hard and looked at the earring again.

"This binds us both together doesn't it…not just me being your servant," Shinji felt the gem warm in his hand. It was another form of marriage wasn't it, beyond the simple servitude based on he had with her. Undoing the clasp on the back, he lined it up with her other earrings, "I love you, Tiina-chan." He pushed the thin metal in and the teardrop of blood trickled onto his finger. He saw it glow, felt his own earring warm up, they were bound now permanently, hugging her tightly. "I wish you weren't going…but you'll be back right?" he wouldn't cry. She had to do this, he had to let her do this, even if he didn't want to.

Wiping a few tears turned pearls out of her eyes, she put them in his hand. "Of course I will be. Our souls are bound together now, I'll always know where you are with this," she touched her earring. With one last exchange, she flew off and over the horizon. Shinji watched her fly off until she was blocked by the trees. They'd meet again, he could feel his earring warm at the thought of her. Those pearls…he put them away from the others he had, those he wouldn't spend those he was going to keep.

X-X

Don't look at me with those hurtful eyes, don't. Annelotte didn't want to see Yuit looking so sad, but here they stood Yuit clinging to her golem's leg with a pronounced frown. Their time together was already about to end, and Annelotte was sad to see that. But it had to end, Shinji and she were going to be in one battle after another, hunted like animals, and that was not a life she wanted for her friend. Yuit could live in some semblance of peace if she went off on her own, not if she was with them.

"So you're heading to the capital right?" Annelotte asked. Putting her hand on her pummel of her blade, she had knew the answer, but just wanted to prolong the moment. She told Shinji their next destination was Hinamoto because of Yuit and Vante's destination. The sun was setting already, a long day of nothing happening but reminiscing of old times and current, and Annelotte pulled on her firm resolve to keep from showing emotion. Today was going to be a day she insisted she have a full bedroll.

Climbing up Vante's arm, getting into the nook of the elbow, Yuit listlessly ran her fingers over the controller. "Yeah, I have to find Mirim before something bad happens to her, and find my mother's crystal. That insufferable Iron Strategist has them. Will…will we meet again?" Yuit's voice cracked like an overstressed glass.

"Of course we will. I will have to come to the capitol eventually, I doubt the queen comes looking for me," Annelotte confessed. While the queen had assassins to send her way, Annelotte suspected the Lightning Queen stayed safe on her thrown. With a nod and a small wave, Annelotte turned on her heel and started off towards the meeting point. Her emotions threatening to spill over she kept her words short, "Stay safe until we meet again."

Judging from the shadow she saw flailing arms from Yuit likely waving wildly. Always so over emotional and prone to flights of random. Not saying another word, it would only make the parting harder, Annelotte kept her hand up as she walked off towards the rocky path. It hurt, but it was for the best. She was fighting this rebellion, and would not drag others into it if she could help it. Especially her tiny friend, maybe after this was all over they could spend some time together. But until that day it was best to keep a distance. "Will it hurt like this when we finally find the middle Vance sister?" Annelotte didn't want to think of that girl by her name.

"Not like I don't know a lot about her. Winner of the last Queen's Blade, the bandit bane, and Risty said she's lost somewhere," Annelotte knew more about Leina than she wanted to now. Shinji's stories of her, compiled with her own reports of possible allies, and childhood fixation on the view globes showing the Wandering Warrior she had a massive inferiority complex regarding Leina. No longer able to see Yuit's shadow, Annelotte broke into a small jog to deal with her building emotions. Panting as she got winded, "If she's alive and we find her…he'll leave me for her I just know it."

Higher and higher up the rocky path, Annelotte saw a single figure leaning against the mountain shelf. Knowing that cloak quite well, elf cloaks were rare and it matched her own, Annelotte slowed down. Scanning the skies, she didn't see a flying Tiina, was she on Shinji's side or something? Maybe this was a trap, her allies captured and this was nothing but a ruse to draw her into some attack. Pulling out that insidious device, she fumbled with it a little, "Shinji is that you?" Nothing, no response. Did she work it right or did she push the wrong button? Trying another button, "Shinji say something."

The figure up ahead moved, reaching to its side, "What is wrong? That is you down the path right?" Shinji's voice crackled. Pushing off the wall, the cloaked figure pulled off its hood and that shaggy brown hair stood out against the reddish rock.

"Yeah it's me, just making sure is all," Annelotte waved softly at the man. He was coming back towards her now. Stuffing the plastic device back into her belt, Annelotte stopped again as she heard movement in the tree line just above her. Odd, she kept hearing random creaking from the trees nearby but nothing happened from it. If it was agents of the queen they'd have attacked by now so she wasn't going to be overly worried. But she kept herself ready just in case. Calling out a little louder once they were closer, "Did you not find Tiina yet?" If they couldn't find her, what would they do?

His head dipped as he grabbed his staff with both hands, something happened Annelotte knew it. "Tiina-chan left for now. She heard something in town about the Queen advancing on her father's kingdom. So she's gone looking for Menace to ally with him, take some pressure off or something. So it'll just be us," Shinji did smile at that. No second place or silver medal, he was making that clear that he didn't see Annelotte as a replacement or inferior product.

"She did say she came back to dry land to hunt for aid, and the queen will advance wherever she can. What your desert friend can do for her, I don't know but we can hope for something," Annelotte felt a tightening in her chest. Pulling out his walkie-talkie, she handed it back to him and that bag of magic. Technology from his land truly was basically magic to her, but then again she had access to actual magic. It was just going to be them now? No longer would Tiina be there to give her advice or something to aspire to. Just them, Shinji and her against the queen and her limitless forces. Offering him a light hug, she already felt a sting of loss so he had to feel worse, "She will return to you, to us, when she can. Until then we will be fine."

Blushing at the rather bold statement, Shinji nodded and smiled softly in the way that melted Annelotte's heart. "We will be, just like when we started out together. Only this time you're not going to be sleeping with your back to a wall and Grim Venus in your hands," he snickered. Her first few nights with him had been very defensive sleeping to say the least. "So you said we were going to Hina-DOWN!" Shinji literally flung Annelotte to the ground.

Head rattled from the sudden blow against the dirt, Annelotte's vision swam. Rushing their way down the path they were on was a red armor clad woman with a massive sword in her hand. "What was that for Shinji? That girl is far away from…from…" she felt warmth trickle down her cheek. Turning from the approaching threat, Annelotte's breath hitched and grew weight in her throat.

"I knew if I followed this idiot long enough I'd find you both. Now I get all three of you," a red headed girl clad in that odd slick material of their water sleeve only red. Her arm was literally through Shinji's stomach protruding out of his back. Pulling it back through the hole she made with a wet plop, she shoved Shinji to the ground and dropped something on Annelotte. Looming over the downed rebel leader, Asuka scoffed, "You're the great Annelotte that has everybody so worried? Idiot, you backed the wrong horse on this one. But I'll leave you to bleed on the ground, have fun regenerating your liver. Now what to do with you?"

Rolling away from the viper strike down at her head, Annelotte sprung back to her feet. Drawing Grim Venus, she stood over Shinji's writhing body. "How can you do this to him!? He is your friend is he not?" Annelotte's scowl was the perfect counter to Asuka's smirk. This was the girl that came from Shinji's world but sided with the queen. Those claws, dripping with Shinji's essence, were just as powerful as his staff. How could she fight that in such a confined place. Turning the blade to a lance, she needed to keep this one at a distance. Thrusting twice at the girl, "You should be siding with us not fighting us!"

"What, not like I killed him or anything. A little love tap is all that is. Walk it off you wussy!" Asuka sang menacingly. Quick and fluid, Asuka dashed in and slashed not at Annelotte but along Shinji's leg. So fast Annelotte couldn't prevent it or intercept it. Walking a few paces away from them, she pointed her dripping finger at the almost upon them combatant, "How you going to fight that one and me. Better get up slacker, or did I beat you already?"

Grabbing Annelotte's leg, Shinji used it to help stand again. The familiar glowing golden light poured out from his stomach and surged through Annelotte's body. "I'll deal with her, you see about that new one," Shinji spat out a wad of blood. Getting his staff in one of Alleyne's defensive positions, Shinji slowly advanced on Asuka. Yelling out at the back of the girl's head, "Why are you here Asuka?"

"Because I want to be, because this is where I belong now!" Asuka spun around and charged the lad. A massive clang and whoosh of air nearly toppled Annelotte when claw met staff. Both Asuka and Shinji were standing in a crater of force, nightmare strength and power. Truly those two were the counter of each other. "Now this is more like it, finally something that isn't boring to fight! Don't disappoint me again," Asuka demanded.

She had to leave him to tend to this frenzied girl, Annelotte didn't want to but she knew it was true. Rushing forward to newer fighter, she noticed the girl had tears in her eyes and was running very unevenly, "What are you doing here?" She hoped it was just a girl running, but when the blade came up and swung her way, Annelotte let her mind slip. No longer did she dwell on Shinji's mental strife or her own sadness over Yuit's leaving, it was battle time. Touching her horse head medallion she switched Venus back to a sword. Catching the overly wide and bulky blade as it came her way, Annelotte's arm hurt from the blow.

"S-sorry! I don't want to fight you, but I don't have a choice!" Mirim all but wailed. Wild and uncoordinated, the swing broke the ground under Annelotte's feet.

Flinging the girl back, stumbling and flailing, Annelotte pushed her advantage. "Lies, if you did not wish to be here you wouldn't be!" she swung out at the girl. The strike didn't hit, something intercepted her blow, held it, and then forced her back. Nearly spinning around from the rebound, Annelotte instinctively ducked when her back was to the girl. She felt the wind of the blow, and kicked backward and the girl. Again she felt nothing but air, yet something forced her forward again grinding her face against the dirty ground. Coughing out the few rocks that got in her mouth, "What is happening here?"

"Is that all you have you idiot? All this time I was expecting you to be something of a YAH!" Asuka yelped and dove to the ground. Shinji's staff changed direction mid-swing and cut off her mocking. Pressing his advantage, Shinji slammed his staff again and again on the ground forcing Asuka to back-crawl to the edge of the cliff. Panting and oddly smiling, "I spoke a little to soon. I'm actually starting to get a workout here. But I bet you can't keep it…oh you stupid fucker!" Asuka yelped as Shinji slammed his staff deep into the dirt and heaved. With a resounding crash, the ground split and Asuka was dropped off the cliff side atop a rockslide. Screaming in rage as she was taken away, the heard her all the way down…out of the fight but clearly still alive and mostly unharmed.

Thanks to the rumbling and unsteady nature of the path, Annelotte was able to get back up and swing at Mirim. "One down and one to go!" she didn't expect the blade to catch hers. Odd sharp bits protruded out of Mirim's blade, catching hers for a moment before they started to whir and spin along the outer rim. "This is impossible," Annelotte couldn't fathom this! The girl was a bean sprout! Thin and incredibly meek looking and sounding. But no matter how much strength she put into her attack, this new girl countered with more than her. All her attacks were intercepted and repelled, and now this monster blade was… "No…not here!"

"S-sorry!" Mirim cried as she swung her blade backhandedly and knocked Annelotte to the ground. The blade graze Annelotte's chest and tore off her armor and exposing her right breast to the thin mountain air. Grabbing the massive hilt with both hands, she advanced, reared back and got ready to end Annelotte's life.

Disarmed and on the ground, steering up at her approaching death, Annelotte didn't know what to do. For the first time she could remember in recent time she had no plan and knew true fear. Was this the end of her? Right when she was reunited with Yuit, was told she'd be alone with Shinji again, and her rebellion gaining steam…ended by some timid girl that just trounced her? She felt warm shame leak out of her as she saw the swing start to come her way. Her thought oddly was her regret to one Leina Vance for failing to protect the man they both loved.

"You can't hurt my onii-chan!/Onee-chan is mine!" twin voices called out. One was coming from the tree-line and another behind her. Annelotte could have sworn one was Luna-Luna and the other she knew was Yuit.

"Rocket punch go!" Yuit cried out again and a moment later everything was a blur. Bronze skin flashed before her eyes, one of Vante's hands shot over her shoulder, and the massive chainsaw blade all collided in one moment of perfect chaos. Vante intercepted the blade, the bronze body pushed both down in a massive smash sending all but Vante's hand sailing away in random directions.

Rushing over to Annelotte, Shinji fell to his knees at her side, "What the hell happened? Was that Luna-Luna?" Shinji couldn't understand what they just saw either. He so rarely swore, that Annelotte lightly knocked him on the head as punishment.

Throwing Shinji out of the way, Yuit dove into Annelotte's embrace. "That was Mirim! What happened here? Onii-chan who is this guy?" Yuit flinched her head at Shinji. At Yuit's motion, Vante gripped Shinji be the back of his tunic and held him up in the air. "Do we need to get rid of him too?" oh she did not sound happy to see this. Vante just smiled endearingly at Shinji and let out an odd moan/growl.

That's right, Annelotte did forget to mention Shinji to Yuit. Well not really 'forget' more she didn't want to cause trouble. And now they were all together, Yuit glaring daggers at Shinji while hugging her tightly, Vante was hovering next to them with Shinji firmly in her grip, and they were just confused at what just happened. After the adrenaline left them, Annelotte confessed to Yuit about her travel companions, Tiina and Shinji. Yuit just continued to hug her side as they observed the devastation of the fight. Yuit wasn't leaving this time, they lost one companion and gained another…maybe two if Vante was as sentient as she appeared. And their destination changed, Yuit needed to find her friend Mirim…so they were headed into the lion's den, their next destination was the capitol.

X-X

Laying out on a rather soft cushion under the desert sun, Tiina was enjoying the heat. It was a dry heat, something she hadn't felt before really. It was close in Tokyo-3 on a few days, but the moisture in the air made things more humid than warm. Over a week of staying in New Amara, Tiina was making good on her goal and was taking a little break. Finding Menace had taken a few days, but word of a new desert kingdom had spread fast and far. Kingdom was a little bit of a stretch though, with only about a hundred residents it was more of a town.

"Miss your wine," a scantily clad man in naught but a loin cloth extended her a glass. New Amara had a good amount of this, handsome and attractive men and women. Once the glass exchanged hands, he bowed lightly and walked back towards the growing buildings. Not many, but they were growing in number and type under the shadow of Menace's temple.

Menace had her priorities of course, and Tiina wouldn't question it. It wasn't her place to comment on how a ruler planned their kingdom. But the people appeared happy, Menace was paying attention to their needs, and things were going even better now that Tiina was here. Word of Amara and the Underwater Kingdom's partnership spread ridiculously fast. Since Tiina's father had no other land alliances it brought attention to them. Now others wanted to join in trade agreements with Amara to get access to the mermaid's goods. But it was just a start, Tiina needed more so she continued to stay.

Sipping her wine, her tail shivered pleasurably, "This is a lovely vintage. Wonder where she got it." Sitting up, Tiina watched the workers building a new house for the latest family to submit to Menace's rule. Forcing her legs to form, she got up and walked off the small elevated platform that stood above the sand and was for Menace and her royal guest. Touching her earring, "I just hope you're doing well Guppy."

The workers and citizens all noticed and showed proper respect to Tiina as she walked through them. They truly did love living here, made Tiina happy to know Menace had such overjoyed subjects. One thing she did learn though, Menace was overly jealous of her time with Shinji. She had suspected Shinji and Menace had shared more than she had, color her stunned when she learned otherwise. Enjoying her walk around the city, Menace was busy with talks with a nearby city that wanted to become part of Amara, so Tiina busied herself.

"Water…water!" a voice weakly called out from the sands. In all directions the endless expanse of dunes stretched as far as the eye could see. With Tiina's help though, they had found a well that was close to the surface and Menace's magic broke down to it.

Hearing the faint call for help, Tiina quickly ran over towards it, bouncing all the way. Spotting a tan woman with short cropped blue hair lying face down in the sand reaching out towards the city. "Hold still, I'll get you some water," Tiina spun the woman onto her back. Odd, this woman looked a little familiar for some reason. Pulling her fingers together, pooling the water that always enshrouded her, she dribbled it into the woman's mouth. Helping the woman to sit, prepping the woman against her leg, Tiina gasped as the woman literally latched onto her fingers and suckled, "Calm down…calm…I won't run out or anything…so…gently maybe?"

Irma pulled the fingers out of her mouth, and found Tiina's rather generous looking mounds before her. "More in there…need more!" diving on the shocked mermaid, Irma knocked her to the sand. Pushing both of her breasts together, Irma lapped at the pooling water. Bucking and rubbing against as much of Tiina's skin as possible, "Cold…wet…hate the desert."

"Down girl, down," Echidna gave Irma a solid punch on the top of the head. Dragging the stunned Irma off of Tiina, she tossed Irma on the ground and dropped a water sleeve on the parched woman. "We ran out of water sometime yesterday. Puppy's little gift worked so well we forgot to regulate it. And its not fair that she gets a taste and I don't," Echidna teased. Replacing Irma on Tiina's chest, Echidna helped herself to a sampling of Tiina's water, "Nice and cool."

Shivering and trying to think of a way to escape Echidna, Tiina now remembered the girl that was pouring water down her throat. It was the girl that got left behind when the first went to Tokyo-3! And…Echidna was still assaulting her, wow her body got super sensitive since her time with Guppy. "E-Echidna what are you doing here?" she knew not to try to fight Echidna, it was a losing battle.

Pulling away from the woman, her face damp with Tiina's dampness, Echidna's smile vanished neigh instantly. "I'm wondering why I've found everybody that I left protecting my second pet not with him. But I guess you can't have tuna watch a puppy after all. I guess I was right to not trust any of you. Who is he with now if not you?" Echidna's tone was acidic.

"I don't believe you can speak to my royal sister that way, snake," Menace rode her armbands quickly across the sands. Using the cloth as vaulting poles, Menace quickly leapt between Echidna and Tiina. Tenderly wrapping one cloth around Tiina, the other pushed hard against Echidna. "What are you doing in my kingdom and assaulting my friend?" a dark pulse started to emanate from Menace.

Batting away the cloth, Echidna clicked her tongue and her eyes danced over the queen of the lands. "Well didn't you get a wardrobe upgrade…might be a little much even for me," Echidna bowed mockingly. But Echidna did have a point, Menace's new attire was quite risqué. No longer did she have the half circle metal plate protecting her chest, it was twin thin strips of metal that went from her back to two pads that covered just her nipples. Taking Menace's chest in her hands, Echidna started to message them, "And is this the proper greeting for the revived queen? And did the smell of tuna just double now?"

"Anybody else I would have said no…but you have the second most skilled hands I've felt," Menace let her guard down but kept herself between Tiina and the newcomers. Leading them towards her temple, Menace waved at her subjects with a wide smile. But just as dark as Echidna had been, Menace matched her, "Now tell me why I shouldn't force you to leave. My sister is needing my aid before we take to the capitol to reclaim my servant?" Menace's plan was to go hunting for Shinji as soon as Tiina was satisfied with the aid being sent to her own kingdom, Tiina was moved at Menace's determination.

Following Menace to the chamber of oils and massages, Setora had a gag in his mouth and was hanging over a pit…somebody had been bad. Echidna laid Menace on her back and did the dutiful servant well, "We were on our way to the capitol ourselves and took this little shortcut. My kitten here…isn't to suited for the heat and we lost time and direction. Found your little city here and I found yet another disappointment. Now my prize is off with an unknown element, the fish is being filleted, and I'm absolutely livid."

Tiina coward away from the snake…and bounced off Irma just watching them shaking her head. "If anything happened to that boy, she will kill all of you. Hope you know that," Irma then went back to drinking her water.

In the fire light cavern that Menace used to relax, now only utilizing female servants to tend her skin, Tiina felt coldness. Echidna was all smiles and tenderly playing with Menace, but she knew both of them were just waiting…waiting for the other to do something and then they'd just have at each other. Menace wouldn't allow men to touch her now, only her 'right hand' could she claimed to Tiina. Her royal sister truly was chomping at the bit to leave, only Tiina's needs kept her from it.

"Ooh that's almost perfect…but just so you know…he is mine, and only when I let you see him will I let you, snake," Menace threatened. Before Echidna could react the twin bandages wrapped around her wrists and pulled her up into the air, "Tiina be a dear and stop that one while we have a talk." And Tiina watched as the dark magic within Menace encapsulated Irma and just held her in place. "I will not be denied this time! I waited years for his return, rebuilt my beloved Amara to rule it with him at my side. And once my royal sister is ready to go…we will be bound by Amara tradition as twin queens…and he shall be ours. Will you offer me trouble?" Menace brought the smiling Echidna in closer to her.

Licking Menace's nose, Echidna was not intimidated, "Well let's see who finds him first. I tried to be nice to all of you, and it didn't work. The one time I let people play with my toys they lend it out to somebody I don't know…and now it's time to be selfish." Flip kicking at Menace's face, the ex-mummy let her go, and Echidna raced off after freeing Irma. Great…now they had to work faster to secure her father's kingdom as the gauntlet had just been laid down! And ruling this land with Menace and Shinji at her side seemed lovely.

X-X

Notes

Was originally going to write that last part from Menace's perspective…but I like keeping her more aloof and mysterious. Is she super ditsy or is it just an act sort of thing. And with that bit is the last, for awhile, of the 'what is everybody else doing'. Risty would be boring as she's in a cave giving orders and Leina is going to be almost a full chapter in the future. Hope you enjoyed this. You might have noticed…hard not to it was prevalent, that Tiina is off with Menace right now…

I have to keep cast members down or it gets super bogged down with where all active characters are. It's a pain to have to do it, but to keep the narrative moving at a decent pace I have to shift some people around. She'll be back, but in her place we have Yuit and Vante…LunaLuna is stalking the quartet and I'm likely to add Branwren to the crew next chapter to…so its not like we don't have a lot to work with.

Hope you're doing well and have a good Valentine's Day, Shinji would likely die of lack of nutrition or get diabetes if they celebrated it.

Later

Mercaba