Disclaimer: Escaflowne and FF7 characters do not belong to me. Never have and never will.

AN: Tell me what you think? If I get enough reviews I'll continue writing. This is my first attempt of a crossover so be gentle. (I got the idea after watching Spy Kids. God knows how that happened.) I'm trying to be original. If some parts sound like other fics please forgive me….I'm new at this. (This first chapter focuses mainly on Escaflowne. I promise that the next chapters will have more of FF7.)

'…' means they are thinking.

*…* means telepathy

Chapter 1: A New Threat

~*~*~*~*~

A tall figure stood silently by the shimmering lake; eyes closed and facing both the 'normal' moon and the mystic moon. The moonlight outlined the mysterious strange as the wind blew at his dark shoulder length hair, sending it to all directions. He wore a long black robe that seemed to be dancing with the wind. He continued standing in that position for the longest time. He heard footsteps coming towards him, however, he didn't move from his position for he knew who it was. He opened his violet eyes but sustained his gaze towards the mystic moon.


"What news do you bring to me, Vladimir," the man asked, in a voice that sounded gentle and frightening at the same time.

The young commander fell to one knee and bowed his head. "Master, the Zaibach empire has fallen. The war between Zaibach has ended," he replied.

"Who do we have to thank for this?"

"We know that it was Van Fanel of Fanelia and Allen Schezar who defeated Zaibach. There was also a girl named Hitomi who helped them. It is rumored that she is from the mystic moon," Vladimir continued.

"Very interesting. Where are they now?" the master said, turning to face his loyal servant.

"They are honored guest of the King of Asturia. They will be staying in the country for a few days before returning to their homelands."

"That is all I would like to know for the moment. You are dismissed."

Yes, Master," the commander said before bowing again. Vladimir stood up from his position and returned to where he came from.

The master let a smile escape his lips. He pulled out a pendant much like Hitomi's, only black. He played with it in his hand. "I know all about you Hitomi. You are the pawn to fulfill my destiny and you don't even know it. You will lead 'the Broken Angel' and 'the Angel of Light' to me. When I finally kill them, I will be granted the greatest power of the universe," he mused.

He turned to face the Mystic Moon once again. To complete his task he must get rid of his enemies first.

"You have not won the war,Van Fanel, for it is far from over."

~*~*~*~*~

Hitomi felt the sunlight dancing on her skin. She lazily opened her eyes. She was still tired from the festivities of last night, but she knew she had to get up early. She sat up on her bed. Today was an important day for her. She was going to figure out a way to return home.

Her REAL home.

Just thinking about it made her sad. Gaea seemed like the right place for her to be. It was like a second home and she didn't want to leave. She made many new friends and she even fell in love. But she missed her parents. She sighed and pulled out her pendant. Ever since the war ended, her pendant seemed to have lost its glow. She still hasn't told Van. She didn't want him to worry. Yet, she sensec something was wrong. She just couldn't figure out what.

*Hitomi.*

Huh? Who was calling her?

*Hitomi.*

She looked around but no one was there. She didn't hear a knock so it there wasn't someone outside her door.

*My little angel. Where are you?*

Hitomi gasped. That voice…Could it be?

"Mama," she whispered.

She was about to start crying but someone knocked on the door before she even shed a tear. She stopped herself. She didn't want them to start worrying.

"Who is it," she called out.

"It's Millerna. May I come in?"

Hitomi jumped from her bed and grabbed her clothes. She didn't want Millerna or anyone else find out that she overslept. "Just a minute," she said, quickly. She button up her blouse and basically threw on her skirt. She grabbed one of her socks but the other was missing. She looked under her bed to search for her missing sock.


"I'll be there in a minute!"

Is something wrong," Millerna asked from the other side of the door.

"No! Nothing's wrong….Aha!"

Hitomi found her other sock and put it on. She slipped on her shoes, quickly tied the laces and rushed towards the door. She opened it and Millerna standing in the hall with a confused look on her face.

"Did you just wake up," she asked.

"No," Hitomi lied.

Millerna raised a brow.

"Come in," Hitomi said, gesturing her inside. "What is it that you would like to talk about?" She closed the door and sat on her unmade bed.

Millerna sat on a chair next to the window. "I-I need to ask you something," she said, biting her lip."

Hitomi looked at her confusedly. "Millerna, what's wrong?"

"Hitomi," the princess began. "Do you…do you love Allen?"

"I don't think this is the time to ask something like that."


"It's just a simple question. Yes or No?"

"I believe that question is a bit too personal."

"I promise I won't tell anyone. I just need to know if you do or not."

"Very well, no I do not love him. I may have been infatuated with him, but it was not love. I'm in love with Van. Why are you asking me this question?"

"Do you really want to know," Millerna asked, sadly.

"Sure."

"Allen is in love with you."

Hitomi felt her heart beating faster. "No, he's not! He probably just thinks he's in love. I mean, he can't be in love with me," she exclaimed.

Millerna shook her head, "He does love you. Last night I heard him crying in the garden and he called out your name. I've never seen him that way before. He doesn't want you to leave."

"Millerna, are you still in love with him," Hitomi asked, softly.

"You could say that. I love Dryden, but a part of me still screams out for Allen. I can't stand seeing him in so much pain," Millerna said, tears falling from her eyes. "You could even say I'm a little jealous of you. I mean, I feel that he should love me because I'm the princess. But even that doesn't help. He's too busy thinking of you."

"Forgive me if I'm the one causing you pain."

" I'm not angry at you. And I don't hate you. I brought this pain upon myself by thinking I could make Allen fall in love with me. I'm sorry. I shouldn't even had bothered you with my silly questions. I'll leave you alone," Millerna said. She stood up but Hitomi stopped her.

"Millerna, you didn't say anything silly to me. You just spilled out how you truly feel. If you don't mind, I would like to be your friend," Hitomi said warmly.

Millerna wiped her tears with the back of the hand. "Thank you for giving me that opportunity. You're such a kind person, Hitomi. It's such a shame you will be leaving soon. I mean, Van…"

"Yes. Leaving Van is one of the hardest obstacles that life has ever thrown at me," Hitomi said, sadly. She looked out of the window and said cheerfully, "But let's not think of sad things right now. Let's go eat breakfast and lets enjoy this beautiful day."

~*~*~*~*~

"Are the soldiers ready," the master asked, looking out the window and holding a glass of wine. He spun the liquid making a small whirlpool inside the glass.

"Yes, my lord," Vladimir responded with a bow. "They are awaiting your orders."

"Very well, tell them to proceed. Kill whoever gets in your way, but do not harm the girl named Hitomi or Van Fanel. I want them alive. And if Folken Fanel appears at anytime, capture him as well. Lets just say that they will be useful for future events. Is that clear?"

"As you wish," Vladimir replies and exits the throne room.

The master sipped his wine and turned from the window. His plan was well thought out. Folken will definitely come to the aid of his younger brother.

He smirked, "Killing two birds in one blow is something I'm looking forward to doing."

~*~*~*~*~

The day had passed by quickly and Hitomi still could not figure out a way to return home. She went to visit a sorcerer that lived near the palace along with Van, Merle and Millerna, but he didn't know how to get her to the Mystic Moon. She tried using her pendant by wishing herself back home, but even that didn't work. Of course, Van seemed to have a look of relieve knowing that his love was not leaving anytime soon. They finally headed back to the palace at sunset. Merle and Millerna went inside to get ready for dinner. Hitomi was about to follow suit but Van grabbed her hand and led her towards the garden.

Hitomi gave him a confused look, "Van, why are we going to the garden?"

He turned to face her and pressed his finger softly on her lips, "Shhh. I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?"

"It won't be a surprise if I tell you now, would it?"

Hitomi grinned and kissed his cheek. "Since when did you become Mr. Romance?"

He blushed.

"Did I ever tell you, you're cute when you blush," Hitomi teased.

Van blushed even more, "Hitomi…"

Hitomy laughed, "Fine, I won't tease you anymore. So, where exactly in the garden are we heading?"

"To the fountain. We're almost there," Van replied taking her hand once again.

After walking through the maze of flowers, the finally reached the large fountain. A statue of an angel, with it's wings spread out, stood in the middle of the water. Above it was an arch that had water flowing through it and making its way back down on the angel.

"Wow," Hitomi gasped. "It's beautiful."

"Yes, it is," Van said looking at her. "But you're even more beautiful."

Hitomi blushed. "I'm not beautiful."

"Whoever told you that lied. You are beautiful inside and out, Hitomi," Van said looking into her eyes.

"Van…"

The young king closed his eyes in thought. He was going to go through this.

"Van, what's wrong," Hitomi asked as she saw him pull something out of his pocket. Her heart beat faster as he took her right hand and slipped a ring on her finger.

"Will you marry me?"

Hitomi stared at the ring in shock. When she recovered she looked into Van's eyes. At that moment she forgot about her parents and returning home.

Van cupped her face with his hands. "I love you, Hitomi. Please say you'll marry me."

She smiled, "Van, I…"

A loud explosion was heard from the palace. From where they were, they could see four large figures attacking the palace.

Van froze, "Guymelefs?!"

Hitomi gasped, "No!"

"Stay here," Van said urgently. "I'll get Escaflowne."

"I'm coming with you!"

"No! You'll get hurt!"

"What about the others?"

"I'll drive the attackers away from the palace! Hitomi, just promise me you'll stay here!"

"I promise."

Van kissed her. "I'll be back, my love," he told her before running off to get his Escaflowne.

Hitomi touched her lips, still feeling the warmth of his kiss. "I'm sorry," she whispered and ran to the opposite direction towards the palace.

~*~*~*~*~

"Lord Vladimir, Van Fanel has arrived in his Escaflowne," a soldier told the young commander.

Vladimir grinned, "Excelent! Have all four guymelef pilots surround him. Do whatever you wish, just let him live...for now"

"Yes, sir!"

"Now, where is that little 'mystic moon brat'," Vladimir sneered, walking into the palace with at least twenty of his soldiers following him.

"If you see the girl from the mystic moon, capture her but do not harm her. Destroy everything else," he ordered. The soldiers did as they were told. He pulled out his sword and began slashing every innocent bystander who got in his way.

~*~*~*~*~

This can't be, Hitomi thought. She clutched her pendant.

'Why didn't see foresee this?'

'Why couldn't I see feel anything?'

'Why isn't my pendant glowing?'

She heard a loud metallic clatter. She looked up and saw Escaflowne surrounded by four guymelefs.

'Oh no! Van!'

"Hitomi!"

She looked up and saw Merle, Dryden and Millerna running towards her. The young cat girl pounced at her. "I'm so happy you're, ok," she cried.

Hitomi hugged her back, "I'm glad you three made it out in one piece!"

"Allen helped us escape. He stayed inside to fight off the soldiers that penetrated the castle," Dryden explained.

"Millerna, where are your father and sister," Hitomi asked.

Millerna hugged Dryden and cried. "My father got killed. We couldn't find Eries anywhere!"

"She's probably already outside the castle," Hitomi suggested.

Merle screamed, "Lord Van!"

Hitomi looked up and saw Escaflowne losing the battle against the four guymelefs.

"Van," Hitomi cried softly. Before she knew it she felt her felt running towards the battle. She knew she was powerless, but she needed to be by Van's side.

"Hitomi! Come back," Millerna yelled.

A large piece of concrete fell in front of them.

Dryden groaned, "It's blocking us! We're going to have to go around."

Merle whimpered, "I hope they'll be all right."

Millerna placed a hand on the cat girls shoulder, "They'll survive. You'll see."

Hitomi was too busy running and didn't notice that her friends path had been blocked. Before she could run any further, something went through a section of the palace wall. A figure moved through the pile of bricks that were once part of that wall. Hitomi gasped.

"Allen," she cried.

Allen looked up at her and smiled, "Hitomi, I'm glad you're safe."

"Allen, you're hurt," Hitomi said. She looked at his wounds. He had a large slash across his chest and his left arm was bleeding terribly.

He smiled meekly, "Don't worry, it's nothing I can't handle."

"Allen…"

"Well, well, well. We finally meet 'mystic moon brat'," a voice sneered.

Hitomi looked up to see a man around twenty standing a few feet from her and Allen. He had red hair pulled back into a ponytail. His purple eyes gave away this unnatural glow that looked like they could just burn through her.

"Hitomi, stand back," Allen ordered. He stood in his fighting position.

The red haired man laughed, "You've got to be kidding me! Look at yourself, Schezar. Do you really want me to continue humiliating you? Or do you enjoy being punched through walls?"

Hitomi glared at the red haired man. "You monster."

"Say whatever you want. He asked for it. No one challenges me," the red haired man jeered and raised his sword. "By the way, my name is Vladimir. Remember it."

He charged toward Allen. Allen prepared to block the attack but Vladimir was to quick and soon had him weaponless. Allen stumbled a few feet back. Vladimir laughed cruelly as he sheathed his sword.

He looked at Hitomi, "I don't want you complaining and saying I didn't fight fair. You're going to enjoy this."

Hitomi's eyes filled with fear as she saw the red haired man punched Allen it the stomach. Allen doubled over in pain.

"Allen! No," Hitomi screamed.

"Hitomi…get out of here," Allen managed to gasp.

"You should be more worried about yourself," Vladimir said. He kicked Allen in the face.

"Stop! You're going to kill him," Hitomi cried.

Vladimir grunted, "Who said I wasn't?"

Hitomi took a few steps back. He was going to kill Allen if someone didn't stop him. But who?

She prayed silently. 'Someone, help Allen.'

Vladimir unsheathed his sword and raised it. He smiled wickedly, "So much for being the 'Heavenly Knight'!"

Hitomi closed her eyes. She couldn't witness this. 'I'm sorry, Allen. I'm powerless.'

A metallic clatter was heard. Someone screamed. Not from pain, but out of anger. She opened her eyes.

Not far away stood Escaflowne and the four guymelefs that attacked the castle. One guymelef laid on the floor. Hitomi quickly realized the reason that she heard the scream. Between Vladimir and Allen laid the discarded weapon of the fallen guymelef.

Vladimir's purple eyes glazed with anger. "You morons," he shouted, angrily at his men.

Van scanned his surrounding area. He saw red haired man yelling obscenities, Allen was lying unconscious on the floor, and Hitomi….

"Hitomi," he exclaimed. He had to get these guymelef's away from here. 'Why didn't you stay back in the garden like I told you?'

Van paused when he noticed a figure move behind the red haired man. 'Folken?'

Vladimir, as if sensing the attacker, quickly turned. Metal clashed against metal.

Vladimir smirked, "Did you really think you could kill me that easily, Folken Fanel?"

Folken grinned, "It doesn't hurt to try?"

Vladimir scoffed, "Well see about that!" He jumped back twenty feet. "Get him," he ordered two soldiers that were nearby.

Folken growled, "Coward!"

Vladimir laughed, "No, not a coward. I'm just following orders. I don't want to 'accidentally' kill you."

Hitomi had been surprised to see Folken appear out of the blue, but it didn't stop her from running to Allen's side. She bent down and gently held him.

"Allen," she said soflty.

Allen coughed blood, "Hitomi, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

Hitomi caressed his face, "It's ok, Allen. Just stay still. You'll get help soon."

"Hitomi, before I die…," he began.

"No, don't say that! You'll be fine, you'll see. Millerna is around. She'll help you," Hitomi said, with tears trailing on the side of her eyes.

"It's too late for that. Hitomi, I…love…you," he whispered before going limp in her arms.

Hitomi shook him. "Allen! Allen, wake up! You can't leave me now! Allen," she cried.

"Hitomi, look out!" a voice screamed.

Hitomi looked up and saw one of the guymelef's stumbling towards where she and Allen were. It was going to crash on them. She closed her eyes and held Allen tighter.

This is the end, she thought.

*Don't give up.*

'Who said that?'

*Hitomi, my little angel. Be strong.*

*Mama, is that you?*

*Be strong…*

Hitomi's eyes flew opened as the voice faded out of her mind. She felt a power growing within her. She didn't want anyone to get hurt anymore. She couldn't stand seeing her friends get hurt. Innocent people were getting killed for no reason. She wanted this to end. Then she heard Vladimir's mocking laughter in her mind…she hated his insane laughter. She felt herself shake in anger as she held her pendant. Too many lives were destroyed…

Hitomi screamed to the sky, "THAT'S ENOUGH!"

A flash of light illuminated her and pushed the falling guymelef away before it landed on her and Allen. The light made it made its way to the remaining two guymelefs and soon, they hit the floor in defeat. The light shielded everyone from the enemy and left Vladimir's troops defenseless.

"What is happening," Vladimir demanded, gripping his sword tighter. "Why are my soldiers falling?"

Hitomi's pendant freed itself from her grasp and floated in front of her. She could only stare in awe. A light similar like the one that brought her to Gaea soon emerged. A flash of light illuminated the surrounding area. By this time Millerna, Dryden and Merle had arrived at the scene. Everyone present shielded their eyes.

"It's so bright," Merle complained.

The light soon faded away and left everyone confused.

"What in the world…" Hitomi began, but heard Millerna cry out.

"Allen," Millerna cried, running to him. She bent down and took him from Hitomi's arms. Hitomi stood up sadly.

Millerna ran her hand through his hair, "Allen…please answer me…Allen…"

Dryden felt his heart fall and shatter into a million pieces. Millerna loved Allen. She would never love someone like him. Despite his envy towards the blonde man, Dryden bent down as well and took Allen's hand to look for a pulse. He found it. "He's alive, but he needs quick medical attention," he said, quietly.

"Hitomi, did you hear that? He's still alive….," Millerna's voice trailed off. Hitomi wasn't listening to her. Instead she was looking at two figures that appeared after the light calmed down.

Merle noticed them as well, "Hitomi…"

Van had come out of his Escaflowne when the light had faded and was standing next to Hitomi. "Hitomi, what's going on? Who are they," he asked, looking at the man and woman that stood a few feet from them.

Hitomi felt tears of joy come to her eyes. "I don't believe it," she whispered.

Folken stared at the two newcomers as well. He wondered why Hitomi was happy to see these two people. By the looks of it, the man and woman seemed to share the same exact feelings towards Hitomi.

Vladimir couldn't stand the suspense anymore. "Forget this nonsense! Get him," he ordered two of his men to grab Folken. Folken resited, but with little effort since he still hasn't recovered from the last battle.

"You're mine," Vladimir sneered at Hitomi and Van. He pulled out a chain and aimed it towards the couple. "I've got you now," he laughed.

"No!"

Vladimir looked up and met a boot to the face. He felt the blood flowing out of his nose. "How dare you," he screamed at the man in the black cape. He pulled out his sword and charged.

"Watch out," Hitomi yelled at the man.

The man unsheathed a long sword. Vladimir stumbled as the man's sword collided with his. Vladimir growled at the man's skill.

CRACK!

Vladimir was knocked backwards and fell to the ground as the man's fist came in contact with his jaw.

"You deserved that, you bastard," the man shouted.

Vladimir spit out a tooth. "I'll kill you," he screamed and charged like madman. The caped man smirked and punched him in the stomach. Vladimir spit a few mouthfuls of blood.

This wasn't going anywhere.

The man sighed, "This is getting really boring. If you threaten somebody, try to follow up to it."

Vladimir scowled, "You'll pay for insulting me."

Following a secret signal, his soldiers retreated away from the palace. Folken was relieved. Those soldiers were getting on his nerves.

"I'll be back for the girl and her friends," Vladimir said, taking a few steps back. "As for you, we'll settle this later."

The caped man scoffed, "You won't get anywhere near her. I won't allow it. As for you defeating me…well, good luck."

"We'll see about that," the red haired man said, before disappearing into the night..

The caped man sighed and sheathed his sword. He turned to face a confused group. But he stared at one person in particular.

Hitomi has a lot of explaining to do, he thought.

The browned haired woman with him ran to Hitomi. "Hitomi," she said, with tears in her eyes.

"Mama," Hitomi cried out, happily. Both mother and daughter held each other in a warm embrace.

Van looked confused. "She's your mother," he asked.

"Hitomi, are these really your parents," Merle asked excitedly.

"Yes, this is my mother. And that's my father," Hitomi said proudly and pointed to the man who just defeated Vladimir.

"Hello," her mother said cheerfully to the group.

Hitomi's father walked towards them. "Let's save the introductions for later. That man there needs a doctor," he said pointing at Allen. "This palace doesn't seem to be in good shape either."

"Hitomi, what happened here," her mother asked.

"It's a long story," Hitomi replied, sadly.

"We have all night," her father said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Hitomi hugged her father, "I missed you daddy."

"I missed you too, Angel," he replied quietly.

Van looked at the happy family. Hitomi was lucky to have both of her parents.

"If you don't mind, I would like know your names. I mean, you did save us from that mad man," Van said.

Folken added, "We'd like to thank you for that."

Hitomi's father looked at the group. "Very well," he said, his silver hair blowing in the wind. "My name is Sephiroth Kanzaki. This is my wife, Aeris."

~*~*~*~*~

Next Chapter: Wow, that's a cliffhanger right there. Sephiroth and Aeris are Hitomi's parents! Anyway, the next chapter will be fun. (This one was TOO serious.) Van gets interrogated by Sephiroth (AKA Over Protective Father). Dilandau and the Dragon Slayers will finally make an appearance along with some other FF7 characters. There's going to be lots of arguing and cursing. Oh yeah, Allen doesn't die. And what's up with this new enemy? Who is the 'master' and what is he planning?