Disclaimer: Escaflowne and FFVII characters do not belong to me. Never have and never will. Please don't sue.

A/N: I mentioned in the last chapter that this story was set in an alternative universe. Well, it still is! Dilly, Folken and the Dragon Slayers are still alive. Sephy is a good guy, Aeris is married to Sephy, Htiomi is their daughter, Celena does not exist….etc, etc, etc. You get my point, right? Some of the things I mention will not make sense unless you watched the Escaflowne series and played Final Fantasy VII. Well, read on and enjoy!

'…' means someone is thinking.

*…* refers to telepathy

Chapter 2: The Legend of Two Pendants

~*~*~*~*~

"And that's everything that has happened to this point," Hitomi explained to her parents. She had just finished telling them the story of how she ended up in Gaea and the battle against Zaibach up to the point where Vladimir attacked them.

They were inside the castle in the main hall where not a lot of damage was made. Folken and Van were there with them listening to the story. Merle was asleep on a chair and snoring at this point. Dryden was busy searching for Eries. Millerna was in the infirmary room with Allen, healing his wounds.

Thankfully, her parents waited for her to finish before asking any questions. So far, they have stayed quiet as if carefully recollecting what she has told them. She looked at her parents thoughtfully. Her mother held her hands together under her chin and her father leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

Van stared at them as well.

What a strange couple, he thought to himself. Hitomi's mother looks pure and innocent. While her father seems cold and distant. I wonder….

"VAN!"

Van came out of his trance with a startle. "Wha…," he began, his face turning red.

Hitomi laughed, "Sorry for breaking up your moment there, but I asked you a question."

Van felt himself grow VERY hot. "Sorry," he mumbled. "What was the question?"

"I asked if you had anything else to say. I mean, in case I left anything out," Hitomi said.

"No, I don't think so. You generally said everything needed to be known," he replied with a shrug.

"Very well…," Sephiroth finally said, turning to his daughter. "Do you still have the pendant your mother gave you?"

Hitomi nodded. "It's right here," she said, pulling it out in front of her.

"Let me see it," her mother said, quietly. Hitomi raised a brow and handed it to her.

Aeris held it firmly in her hands. "Its power is weakening," she whispered.

Hitomi eyes widened in surprised. How does mom know, she thought to herself. And why are mom and dad not shocked about what I've told them?

'Could it be that they have been to Gaea before?'

"Hitomi," her mother said, touching her shoulder gently. Concern filled her eyes.

"I'm sorry mother. It's just that…I-I had sensed it too. Mom, why is it not working," Hitomi said. Somehow she knew that her questions were going to be answered.

Aeris sighed, "It's a long story. What you need to know is that someone has the Pendant of Darkness. It's stopping your pendant, which is the Pendant of Light, from working correctly."

"What is the Pendant of Darkness," Van asked, confused.

Sephiroth frowned, "It's a black pendant that holds all the negative energy of the universe. Its power is nothing more than evil and destruction. If its power were to be released, everything you know will be destroyed. But for that to happen, it must become whole again. "

Folken added, "I've heard of a legend of two stones that were once one stone. Somehow I feel that it connects with your conversation. Or am I wrong?"

Everyone looked up at his, surprised at his sudden outburst. He stood in a corner of the room, covered in its shadows. His face was expressionless.

"No, you are correct," Sephiroth said, arms folded. "You have brought up an important fact. The Pendant of Light and the Pendant of Darkness were one stone long before any of us were born. The stone was called 'Holy'. It was the most powerful object in existence. Holy was intended to be used for good not evil. That is, until an evil being from Earth or as you call it, the Mystic Moon, named Jenova came along and tried to take control of the universe by taking possession of Holy. Jenova tried to convert Holy into a tool for evil, but only managed to split it into two different stones. Jenova was able to combine the two stones back into one, but it no longer was Holy. Instead, Jenova created a new stone called 'Meteor'. Meteor was nothing like Holy. Instead, it was the beginning of pure evil. Jenova tried to summon all the negative powers of Meteor but was stopped by a young Cetra who was from Gaea. The Cetra were caring and gentle beings that only wanted peace in the universe. After a long fought battle, the young Cetra defeated Jenova. However, Jenova could not be killed easily so the Cetra split Meteor into two small stones and locked Jenova inside one of them."

"…And this Jenova creature is the one inside the Pendant of Destruction," Folken interjected.

Sephiroth nodded, "Correct. However, the young Cetra knew that if someone were to take possession of the other stone, it would easily be able to combine both stones, therefore, create Meteor again. So, he made a sacrifice and locked himself inside the other stone….and creating the Pendant of Light."

"It was handed down to me by my mother and it is now yours," Aeris told her daughter. She handed Hitomi the pendant.

Hitomi stared at her pendant. "How do you know all this," she whispered.

*Should we tell her?*

*Like we have a choice.*

"It was your grandmother, my mother, who told us…," Aeris said softly.

Hitomi whispered, "Grandma…"

Aeris nodded, "Before your father and I married, your grandmother told us everything. She had been transported to Gaea when she was about your age. She met a group of beautiful creatures with wings called Draconians. She befriended them and lived with them during her stay in Gaea. Some Draconians had the ability to sense things that other people could not see. Your grandmother quickly earned their respect and trust. They taught her how to use her sixth sense…and soon, she too could see what others could not. When it was time for her to return home, they told her the story of both pendants and handed her the Pendant of Light as a gift."

"When you disappeared, your grandmother kept us up to date. Gaea needed help. Since you had the Pendant of Light, which represents hope, we realized that you had inherited your grandmother's gift," Sephiroth said.

"Why didn't you tell me all this before," Hitomi said, suddenly.

"We didn't see it necessary," her father let out a long sigh. "I guess we were wrong."

"I'm sorry," Aeris said, sadly.

Hitomi hugged her mother. "It's ok, mom. I'm not mad," she said. "It's just that all of this really took me by surprised."

Van grunted, "You still haven't explained why her pendant is not working correctly. I mean, this situation sounds serious."

Folken said calmly," Be patient, Van. I'm worried about this whole situation as much as you are."

Van snapped, "That's something coming from you. If you don't recall, you were on Zaibach's side during the war!"

"Van," Hitomi yelped.

"He ordered his own country to be destroyed, Hitomi! You were there, you saw the destruction with your own eyes," Van yelled. "Do you think you could just waltz in thinking we'll forgive you, brother?"

"Van, I'm sorry….really," Folken said, quietly. "I haven't forgotten what I have done. But I recognize my errors and I will make up for my mistakes."

Van growled, "You would!"

Sephiroth's voice boomed, "That's enough!"

Both Fanelian brother's looked up at the older man.

"That's better," Sephiroth said. "Van, I understand that you are worried about what this new enemy is planning. However, arguing with your brother will not help solve the problem."

Van looked down at the floor, "I'm sorry."

"I understand," his brother said.

"Hey, don't worry about it," Aeris said, smiling. "We all make mistakes."

Van smiled weakly.

"As for Hitomi's pendant not working," Aeris continued. "It seems that both pendants are canceling each other out. Because of this, neither pendant will work correctly. However, when Hitomi let out all her emotions….her pendant granted her the request of having her loved ones with her once again. That's how my husband and I ended up here."

"The question is…why are the pendants canceling each other out? You just explained to us that the two pendants become one," Folken asked.

Merle stirred, but continued sleeping.

Aeris smiled and stroked the cat girl's hair. "It is not easy as it seems. To convert both pendants back into one, two angels that represent each pendant must be present during that time," she replied.

"What do you mean," Van asked.

Aeris sighed, "There are two angels. One is the 'Angel of Light' and the other is the 'Broken Angel'. These two angels carry a power source that will enable both pendants to become one. It is rumored that the angels have a link with the pendants, but I'm not too sure. I'm just recalling what my mother told me. "

"Wait a minute," Hitomi exclaimed. "Wasn't that Vladimir guy after Folken, Van and myself?"

Folken nodded, "Now that you mention it, he was trying to kill just about everyone except us three."

Hitomi gasped, "What if Van and you are the two angels?"

Folken's eyes flickered with surprise. "I don't think…"

"What do you mean," Sephiroth asked, suddenly.

"You see…," Van began. "My brother and I are half Draconian and half human."

"But…you don't have wings," Aeris said, studying them.

"Van…Folken….show them, please," Hitomi said.

Both brothers hesitated.

Aeris giggled, "We won't bite."

"Aeris…," her husband began.

Folken was the first to take off his cloak. Two wings spread behind his back.

Sephiroth and Aeris just stood there in shock.

Van sighed and pulled his shirt off. After a few seconds, he too had a pair of wings behind his back. Hitomi noticed his cheeks growing a bit reddish.

"Wow," Aeris said softly. "I would have never noticed…"

Both Folken and Van quickly enclosed their wings.

"Sorry, we're not used to showing our wings to many people," Van said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I understand," Sephiroth said.

"So, what are we going to do now," Hitomi asked.

"We still don't know for sure if that is the reason why that red haired psycho was trying to kidnap you. We can't jump to conclusions," her father said. "I suggest that we have a good night's sleep. We can continue this conversation tomorrow. Although, I'm not to sure where we can rest…"

"There are a couple of rooms you can use," Millerna said, walking into the main hall.

Hitomi walked towards the princess. "How is Allen," she asked, concerned.

Millerna sighed, "He's out of danger….but his wounds are deep. It will take a while before he heals correctly."

"I'm sorry," Hitomi said sadly.

"Don't worry about it. The good thing is that he's out of danger," Millerna said. "What I don't understand is what exactly happened? Who were those soldiers that attacked? Could it be Zaibach?"

"We don't know, Millerna," Van began. "It's a new enemy. I don't think it is Zaibach soldiers….someone else planned this attack. We just don't know who it is."

Millerna sighed, "I guess I'll hear about it in the morning. You guys look tired. Let me take you some rooms where you can rest."

"Thank you," Aeris said smiling. She looked at Merle's sleeping form. "Look at her. She's sleeping like a baby. Sephy, can you carry the little girl. I don't want to wake her up."

"I guess…," her husband answered and picked up the cat girl. "At least she's not heavy…."

"This way," Millerna motioned them to follow her.

Aeris giggled as Merle made herself comfortable on Sephiroth's chest.

"This girl could sleep through a war…," Sephiroth muttered.

"I think she likes you," Van told him. "Merle usually doesn't like it when a stranger holds her. Especially in her sleep."

Aeris smiled, "It must be a good sign."

Sephiroth "Hmph!".

As they walked to their rooms, Sephiroth noticed something shiny on his daughter's right hand.

'A ring?'

He narrowed his eyes. It was definitely a ring.

* What's wrong? *

* Hitomi is wearing a ring on her right hand…She doesn't own any rings. *

* Oh, I see it…It's beautiful. Does it bother you? *

* Not really. *

Pause.

* Ok, maybe a little… *

* What are you going to do? *

* I'll ask her about it. *

* Honey, it's just a ring. *

*Look at it! It's no ordinary ring….It's too… *

* ….elegant?*

* Yeah…I think she is keeping something from us.… *

* What do you mean? *

*I don't know…. but I think it has something to do with that Van guy over there….*

* You don't like him? *

* It's not that. I just don't like it when people play with Hitomi's feelings. *

* You're always jumping to conclusions…What if it's only a sign of friendship? *

* Give me a break…Hold that thought. Millerna is stopping and this cat girl in my arms is getting heavier by the minute….*

* Why do you always leave me in suspense.…*

Millerna stopped and turned to face her guests. "Here we are," she said and pointed to each room. "Van and Folken will share the room to my left. Hitomi and Merle can sleep in the room to my right. Hitomi, your parents will take the room next to Van and Folken's.

"Where are you going to sleep, Millerna," Hitomi asked.

"I'll be fine. There's a small room next to the infirmary. I'll sleep in there. I want to be near Allen in case he shows any signs of illness," Millerna replied. "Besides, I'm waiting for Dryden to arrive with news of my sister….and father…" She had tears trailing on the side of her eyes.

"I'm sorry about your father, Millerna," Van said, touching her shoulder gently.

Millerna nodded in response. "Thanks…We'll, you should head to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day…," she said, walking off. "Good night."

Millerna waved before turning a corner.

Van opened the door to his room. "I'll see you in the morning," he said. He looked at Hitomi, smiled and went inside the room.

Sephiroth frowned.

"Good night," Folken said quietly.

"Good night," Hitomi and Aeris said simultaneously before he closed the door.

Hitomi looked up and saw Merle clawing her father's chest.

"Open your door, Hitomi," her father ordered. "This kid is having a nightmare and she's taking it out on me!"

Hitomi nodded and quickly opened the door, which had been unlocked. Sephiroth entered the room and laid the cat girl on one of the two empty beds in there. As he let go of her, Merle's right hand came up and slapped him on the face. She continued to mumble things that couldn't be made out.

"Poor girl…," Aeris said quietly.

Sephiroth rubbed his cheek. "Oww….," he muttered.

Hitomi laughed, "Don't get mad, dad. She's only dreaming."

"That's what I'm afraid of. If she acts this way when she sleeps…I don't think I want to know how she is when she's awake," Sephiroth said.

"That's not nice, Sephy," Aeris said, walking next to him.

Sephiroth groaned, "Don't call me that in front of everyone!"

Aeris giggled and grabbed his arm, "Lets go. Hitomi needs her sleep."

"Before we go, there's something I want to know," Sephiroth began.

"…And what is that," Hitomi asked.

Sephiroth frowned, "Where did you get that ring? Did some boy give it to you?"

"What," Hitomi exclaimed. She blushed furiously. "No.…yes….I mean….sort of…."

"Who was it," Sephiroth demanded.

"Sephiroth, if she doesn't want to say anything now she doesn't have to…," Aeris said calmly.

Sephiroth barked, "I have the right to know! She's my daughter!"

"Good night, sweetie," Aeris said kissing Hitomi on the forehead. She pulled her husband out the door. "See you in the morning!"

"Hey…," Sephiroth complained.

"Good night," Hitomi smiled nervously as the door closed. She heard her father complaining in the hallway. When she heard a door close she gave a loud sighed and fell on the empty bed.

That was close, she thought. Good thing mom is a quick thinker.

She held her hand up in front of her and glanced at the ring.

"Poor dad," she said quietly. "He's just trying to protect me."

Merle snored loudly.

Hitomi smiled and laid on her bed. She closed her eyes only one name ran through her mind before she went to sleep.

'Van…'

~*~*~*~*~

Van woke up early the next morning. He looked where his brother's sleeping form laid. He sighed. They had gone to sleep without saying a word to each other. He felt bad, but he still held a grudge against his brother for betraying Fanelia.

Taking a deep breath he got out of bed and quickly dressed. When he was finished he quietly crept out of the room. He closed the door behind him and headed to the main hall.

"I didn't know you were an early bird," a familiar male voice said behind him.

"I didn't know you were one also" Van said, turning to face the tall silver haired man. "Good morning, Sephiroth."

"Good morning," Sephiroth said nonchalantly. "Where are you headed this early?"

"The infirmary room," Van shrugged. "I want to see how my friend is doing."

"I see…," Sephiroth said, folding his arms. There was a long silence.

Van noticed the long sword buckled on his belt. "How can you handle it," he asked, curiously. "I mean…your sword. I've never seen one like it before."

"No…," Sephiroth chuckled. "This is one of a kind. It's called Masamune and it was designed for me. I am the only man who has the capability to use it."

"Why is that?"

"You don't know, do you?"

"I only know that you are Hitomi's father."

"What if I told you I am a top ranking general of SOLDIER," Sephiroth mused. "I lead the country's top military force…."

Van choked, "You're a general? Why didn't Hitomi tell me?"

Sephiroth frowned, "Probably because she was too busy trying to stay alive in this world."

"Possibly…," Van grunted. "So, is THAT what you wear during combat?"

Sephiroth looked down at his attire. He was wearing his usual black cape, black pants and black boots. "Yeah….you have a problem with what I wear," he defended. He liked his uniform and no boy was going to tell him otherwise.

"No….it's just that I could almost imagine you flying with that cape on," Van shrugged.

Sephiroth raised a silver brow. "I don't fly," he answered. "Now I have a question for you, boy."

Van glared at the older man, "My name is Van."

Sephiroth ignored him. "What games are you playing with my daughter," he asked sternly. "No one plays with Hitomi's feelings! I noticed the way you looked at her!"

"What," Van exclaimed. "How dare you say such things! I would never play with Hitomi's feelings!"

"I saw that ring on her finger, boy," Sephiroth snapped. "It took me a lot of thinking to realize who had given it to her. Folken is too old and the injured one seems to have something to do with the Millerna girl. The Dryden guy didn't even cross my mind. That only left you! What are you planning?"

Van felt himself boiling. Even if this man was Hitomi's father, he had not right to talk about his feelings towards Hitomi that way. "I don't know where you're heading for but…," he began.

"LORD VAN," a cheerful voice rang through the hall. Merle came running to him. She glomped him when she was close enough.

"Merle," a surprise Van said. "What are you doing awake so early?"

I woke up and Hitomi was still asleep. I wasn't sleepy anymore…. I decided to look for you. Then the nice lady walked with me to look for you," she said excitedly.

"What lady," Van asked.

"I mean, Hitomi's mother," Merle said. She turned and waved at someone at the other end of the hall. "She's nice," she added as the brown haired woman waved back.

Merle noticed the silver haired man in front of her. She smiled and yelled to Aeris, "Your husband is here!"

"She was looking for me," Sephiroth said surprised.

"Yep," Merle said happily. "Miss Aeris told me that you carried me to my room! I didn't even feel you holding me! Thanks!"

Sephiroth grunted. "Hmph!"

"That means 'Thank You' in Sephiroth-ese," Aeris said gently as walked next to him. "I noticed you were discussing something with Van. What were you talking about?"

"It was nothing important," Sephiroth said. Aeris was going to scold him for this!

Aeris looked at Van. "Van…"

Van shrugged, "I just asked him about his sword. Nothing important."

Aeris raised a brow. "Very well," she said. "I noticed a garden behind the castle. Is it all right if I go look at it?"

"Sure," Van replied. "Hopefully, it didn't get too damage during the fight."

Aeris got excited and grabbed her husbands arm. "Sephy, come with me to look at the flowers," she said, happily.

"Aeris…," he began.

"Can I call you Sephy too," Merle butted in.

"No," Sephiroth groaned.

"Sephy," Merle said running around chanting his name.

"Argh," Sephiroth moaned. "Why me?"

Aeris giggled, "Quit whining, dear. Let's enjoy the morning while we can. You can help me pick flowers!"

"Just remember to come back before breakfast," Van told her. He felt almost felt sorry for Sephiroth. Almost. He didn't understand why Sephiroth thought her was palying with Hitomi's feelings.

Aeris dragged Sephiroth with her and headed to the garden.

At this point Hitomi was wide awake and walking to where Van and Merle stood.

"What's going on," Hitomi asked. She noticed her mother dragging her father somewhere.

"Good morning, honey," Aeris waved from the end of the hall. "Your father and I are going to the garden. We'll see you at breakfast!"

Hitomi nodded, stunned. When her parents finally disappeared from sight Merle spoke.

"Your parents are strange," the cat girl giggled. "But I like them."

"Can somebody explain to me, what just happened," Hitomi exclaimed after a few seconds of silence.

Van and Merle shrugged.

~*~*~*~*~

Somewhere in the forest…

"The castle is this way…," a young boy with blond hair said. He pointed to the west.

"You got it all wrong, it's this way," another boy said, pointing to the east.

They began to argue about which way they were suppose to go.

"THAT'S ENOUGH," another boy with silver hair yelled. He grabbed the map they were holding and looked at it. "You morons! You were looking at the map the wrong way," he shouted after taking a close look at it.

"Forgive us, Lord Dilandau," the two boys said simultaneously.

Dilandau glared at them. "Chesta, who ordered you to use this map? It's too old! I can barely read it!"

The blond boy swallowed. "You did, sir."

Dilandau blinked. "Oh….well, next time remind me to get a newer one," he shouted.

"Yes, sir!"

The other boy looked around nervously.

Dilandau noticed this. "Migel, what are you starring at," he demanded.

"Sir, I think someone is nearby…," Migel stuttered.

"I don't see anyone…," Dilandau trailed off. Footsteps were heard walking towards them.

"Sir…,"Chesta began.

"Be quiet," Dilandau hissed. "Let's hide over here!"

They hid behind a bush, silently pulling out their weapons in case someone attacked them. As the footsteps got closer, voices could be heard and the figures became clearer.

"We're #$%^ing lost," a gruff male voice said. "Just #$%^ing great!"

"Don't speak that way, Cid. We'll find a way out of here…," a woman said.

"That's if we live long enough. Dammit, why'd that #$%^ing light have to suck us up anyway," the guy named Cid continued.

"I'll say," a man with a red cloak grunted. "I didn't even finish meditating…"

"Chill out, guys. Tifa is right. We'll make it out of here," a blond spiky haired guy said.

"I'm to young to die," a girl with short brown hair wailed. She continued crying.

"Shut yer trap, Yufie," Cid growled. "No one is going to die! Damn, you're making my #$%^ing ears hurt!"

"Cid…," the blond guy sighed. "Tifa, calm Yuffie down."

The older woman nodded and comforted Yuffie. "Calm down, Yuffie. Everything is going to be all right," she said softly.

"I'm scared. (sniff) I don't want to be stuck (sniff) in this forest anymore," Yuffie cried.

"It's, ok…," Tifa said soothingly.

The man with the red cloak narrowed his eyes. "Something is not right," he muttered.

"Vincent, what's wrong," the blond guy asked.

Vincent stared at a bush nearby. "Someone is here," he said, nonchalantly.

Chesta, Migel and Dilandau began to grow nervous.

"Don't #$%^ing scare me, Vincent. What do you see," Cid choked.

"Cloud," Vincent told the blond guy. "Behind the bush!"

Cloud pulled out his sword from behind. "Whoever you are, come out," he shouted.

Dilandau heard something like weapons being taken out.

"Lord Dilandau," Chesta whispered. "Those people are armed…"

"The leader seems to have a huge sword with him…," Migel added in a whisper.

Dilandau looked through a small hole in the bush. Migel was right. The blond guy definitely had a HUGE sword with him.

"Oh shit," Dilandau muttered.

Why did he get the feeling that these strangers knew what they were doing? This was not looking good….

~*~*~*~*~

To Be Continued…

Author's Note: Hahahaha! I'll leave you with the suspense. Anyway, I'd like thank those people who reviewed the first chapter. After seeing what you wrote, I got encouraged to start on the second chapter! Thanks a lot guys! Muchas gracias! Muchos besos! Hasta luego! Did I spell that right?

Next Chapter: Ok, I know that the first half of this chapter was boring, but I'm still building up my story people! Have a little patience. Can anyone imagine the Great Sephiroth picking flowers? Anyway, the next chapter will hopefully be interesting. How did Cloud and the gang end up in the forest? What castle is Dilandau searching for? Will they get along? Most importantly, how will Dilly and Cid get along…? Ok, enough of my rambling. Until next time!