Disclaimer: I don't own any parts of Escaflowne. Well maybe a small piece torn from it's cape, but that's it. *sees lawyer type men driving up to her house* I didn't steal it I swear! O.o;; Anyways, the only characters that belong to me are the ones I made up. Translation? Please don't sue me! "So now you know everything. I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything before."

Hitomi's eyes filled with tears after Van was done explaining Gaea's current predicament. "Why Van? Why can't there ever be lasting peace?"

"I don't know Hitomi. Fate has a twisted sense of humor, I guess."

One look at his forlorn eyes told Hitomi that he realized what he had just said. "You just had to say 'fate', didn't you?" Hitomi laughed slightly to try and lighten the mood, but it came out as a strangled plea for help.

He drew her gently into his arms, hugging her tightly. "I don't regret loving you and wanting to marry you, Hitomi, but I don't want you to suffer. The visions and prophecies are bound to come back more frequently and vividly, and I don't want to be tempted to use your power while fighting against Zaibach. That's why I wanted you to stay at Fanelia; better yet, I want you to go back to the Mystic Moon.

"No! I'm going to stay with you, for I suffer more when I'm not close to you. I get scared, and my fear is what caused all those problems before."

Van planted a reassuring kiss on her forehead. "Fine. I'd feel better with you close to me, but I wanted you to be out of danger."

"I appreciate it Van, but I know I'll be safe with you."

"That settles it then. The Crusade is going to have a full crew. I guess this means our wedding is postponed for awhile."

Hitomi smiled mischievously. "I'm sure we won't notice if there's other concerns that keep us busy."

*****


Dryden had seats near the warrior's training area, so Millerna and the others went down there to watch the competition. Dryden was holding the bets he had on certain fighters, Millerna was holding on tightly to his arm, Merle was trying to straighten Joshu's hair as he protested, and Kenji laughed at Joshu struggling between mouthfuls of candy he had brought with him.

The crowd bustled with loud talk and yelling, but quieted down when the royal fanfare announced that the tournament was about to start. Van's voice could be heard clearly around the arena. "People of Fanelia and visiting friends, I welcome to you to the first annual 'Hero' tournament. But before the main festivities begin, I have important news to share. Hitomi Kanzaki, the seeress from the Mystic Moon and heroine from the Great War, has come back to Gaea. She has willfully agreed to be my wife and queen of Fanelia."

Anything else Van said was drowned out by hearty cheers and whistles which lasted for over a minute. When things quieted down once more, Van began speaking again. "Thank you everyone for your enthusiasm. And now, let the tournament begin!"

A royal guard came out with a roll of paper, and read in a booming voice, "Rules every fighter must follow to qualify. Number One, participants must be eighteen years old or older. Number Two, participants must have a weapon. Whether or not your weapon can be disarmed is how the outcome of the match is determined. Number Three, participants must fight in a sparring style, with no attempt to injure or kill anyone. If you injure another fighter, even incidentally, you are immediately disqualified. If you contain any vengeance within you, leave the arena now. Number Four, if you lose, lose gracefully and with dignity. Accept your defeat and cheer for the others. Number Five, enjoy yourself and fight with your heart. That is all. Who would like to start?"

A small cloaked figure stepped forward. "I would like to be the first challenger."

"Please un-cloak yourself and announce your name to the crowd."

There were gasps all around when the figure unsheathed the cloak and was a woman dressed in a simple white smock. Twirling the long dagger she had hid in her garment, she smiled carefree at the masses. "My name is Ariel Standvisky, and I am ready to meet my opponent."

There were angry shouts coming from both the audience and the other warriors. "She's a woman, she shouldn't be allowed to fight!"

"She might get hurt if she competes!"

"Get her out of here!"

"And why would she want to leave? She seems capable enough to handle herself, so why not let her have a try?" Tati yelled back to the others. He walked towards the middle of the clearing where Ariel was standing and bowed deeply. "I accept your challenge."

There were still grumbles here and there, but they were subdued when the guard bellowed, "Fighters, take your stances!"

As soon as he saw Tati and Ariel were ready, he continued to say, "GO!"

The two challengers locked swords together instantaneously. "I like your way of thinking sir," Ariel breathed.

"Why thank you! I like my way of thinking too. It usually treats me pretty well."

"Is there any chance that you might be thinking to win this competition?"

"Of course, I do, as well as you do too. But I doubt either of us will accomplish that feat with our swords looking like they're in love with each other."

Ariel grinned as she turned to unlock her sword. "My dagger is not in love, sir. It's just trying to prove itself to be up there with the big dogs."

Tati laughed as their swords clanged over their heads, creating sparks that rained down on them. "Well, it certainly can accomplish that if only it's master didn't keep it on such a short tether."

"It is not a short tether; it's running free in the forest. And.. "she added while pinning Tati's sword to the ground, "...it just found a bigger dog to attack."

Tati just grinned wider as he quickly twisted the swords together to wrestle the dagger from Ariel's hand. The move caught her off guard, and her dagger landed with an ominous thump in the dust. "I guess it was all bark and no bite, Miss Ariel."

Ariel stared with disbelief at her sword on the ground as the crowd cheered loudly. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she offered her hand to Tati. "Good fight. Congratulations."

Tati shook her hand warmly, and offered her sword back. "Here. You fight pretty well for someone so young."

"I thought you were going to say I fight pretty well for a girl for a moment there."

"Nah. Gender doesn't matter in the long run. Besides, you'd probably hit me if I did say that."

Ariel smiled one more time, and then walked out of the arena. Damn. I'd better just stick to being a healer like Mother told me too in the first place.


Dryden turned to look at Joshu as the tournament continued. "Wow, your friend is quite experienced, isn't he? His name is Tati, correct? How long has he been trained in the art of weaponry?"

Joshu shrugged his shoulders as he watched Tati compete against a new opponent. "I don't know exactly how long; it seems like he's been fighting forever."

Dryden nodded understanding. "It definitely looks that way. I wish I had placed money on him now. Not that it would matter."

"Dryden!" Millerna reprimanded sternly.

He scratched his head as he chuckled. "I'm sorry; that was rude of me. I didn't mean to be taken in that way."

"What do you mean?" Joshu questioned.

"Never mind; just forget what I said, please. I don't want any bad feelings from anybody, especially an acquaintance."

Slightly puzzled, Joshu turned back to the tournament, but was unconsciously enjoying the presence of Merle's torso tightly against his chest. He sighed as he reclined slightly in his chair. He knew Tati could win this easily; he had the upmost confidence in his older friend.

*****


Dilandau was abhorred when he first saw the guymelef. "They stripped the Alseides?! MY ALSEIDES?!"

He grabbed a mechanic that was walking by their collar. "Who destroyed this guymelef, and when?"

The mechanic gulped fearfully as Dilandau raised him two more inches off the ground. "Sir, the guymelef in question was stripped for parts awhile ago, for it's existence was not needed at the time. Besides, it's technology is quite dated compared to the new model guymelef by it."

Dilandau turned towards where the mechanic was pointing, and gasped in delight. There stood a completely black Guymelef, as dark and deadly as night. With deranged glee, Dilandau pushed the mechanic to the ground and jumped over the rail to the guymelef. Getting into the cockpit, Dilandau yelled to the mechanic, "Never mind the Alseides! I'm taking this thing out for a spin!"

Ineguno rushed the rail, shouting, "Dilandau no go! Master no like if Dilandau alone!"

Dilandau rolled his eyes and sneered towards his right. "Well, get in that older guymelef if you don't want me to be alone. Hurry up!"

Ineguno fumbled to get into the guymelef, but finally sat in the cockpit as Dilandau fired up his own Guymelef. As the two left the hangar, they failed to hear the mechanics warning. "Sirs, those guymelefs have yet to be stable!"

*****


Kaze twirled the staff in his hand as he watched the competition in front of him. He had hope to study different swordsmans' techniques, for he had none of his own. He still couldn't believe all this was happening; the shock of everything had yet to settle in.

The crowd's abrupt cheer made his head pop up; Tati had defeated another competitor. Kaze was surprised when he saw he was the only one still in the warrior box; he thought there was more participants than that. Sighing slightly, he left the box and walked towards the center of the arena.

Tati was surprised by Kaze's entrance. "Kaze? What are you doing here?"

Kaze smiled dryly as he took his stance in the marked spot. "I'm picking daisies to make a chain; what does it look like I'm doing?"

Before Tati could answer, the official shouted, "Fighters take your stances! GO!"

Tati dodged Kaze's attacks, concern still on his face. "Why are you competing in this tournament? Don't you realize how dangerous it is?"

"I think I can handle myself, thank you very much. Pay attention!"

Tati back-flipped from the spot he was moments before, causing Kaze's staff to hit thin air. "You've got to be faster than that, my friend!"

Kaze countered the move by doing a one-hand cartwheel and ending with a somersault. "How's that?"

"Good, but I don't trust in tricks that turn your world upside down.."

"Yes, but looking from a different point of view can sometimes help you get hold of your life."

Tati grimaced slightly when the weapons stroked each other hard, causing his sword to vibrate strongly in his hands. "I suppose so, but while upside down, you can't see objects above you."

Interpreting Tati's warning, Kaze changed the angle of his staff just as Tati's sword struck from above. The impact caused the staff to splinter into two pieces, and the sword slipped from Tati's sweaty palms. As both weapons fell to the ground with a thud, the crowd was at a silence. A lone spectator began to clap, and cheers and applause soon joined in. Kaze and Tati looked at each other in shock, but then smiled jovially as they bowed simultaneously to the crowd.

The referee grabbed their hands and announced, "The champions!!", to the roaring crowd. Fans spilled from the bleachers, all wishing to congratulate Kaze and Tati. As Hitomi ran down to offer her compliments, Van noticed Allen walking in the arena from the corner of his eye. As he neared, Van could tell by his face that he and the Crusade were ready. Motioning Allen to join him, Van moved towards the center and proclaimed to his people, "I offer my admiration to the victors; it was a close fight. However, now I must say that I have urgent business to attend to, and must leave tonight for a few weeks. I promise we'll be back, but in the meantime, the royal advisor Michi will take over my duties while I'm gone. That is all."

The crowd parted, extending their good wishes as Van, Hitomi, Allen, Millerna, Dryden, Joshu, Merle, Kaze and Tati left the arena towards the Crusade.

*****


Sorry for taking so long to update this story! I don't even know if I'm going to finish it....