Chapter 7
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I looked around. Well, this would be Tokyo…It's pretty. I stepped forward. Rather, I attempted to step forward. I soon found that something was wrapped around my legs. I fell forward, but managed to catch myself on a low wall. Great…..I looked down. Ok…this is new...I was wearing a kimono…It was a nice kimono, dark green with ruby colored detailing. The only problem is you can't walk very well while wearing one. To think, I've always wanted to wear one too…
I shrugged. I guess I'd better get used to walking in this. I really won't be able to walk around in jeans and a tee shirt, now will I? I slowly walked forward. Well, this isn't so bad, even if these stilt type shoes are killing me already…I headed down a main street. How the hell am I going to find Kenshin? I thought the PTB were helping…Damn.
Half an hour later I was officially lost. Or at least more so than I had been when I started….I turned down an alley. Oh man, I'm REALLY lost. Of course, to make my day complete, I would happen to run into the average stereotypical group op bandits/briggans.
Thug #1 Was the short, chubby stupid one.
Thug #2 Was the tall, lanky, annoying one.
Thug #3 Was their average, well built leader.
Of course the short, chubby one stepped forward to speak. "Well, well. Look at what we have caught. A pretty lady. Are you lost? Maybe we could help you, for a price." He smiled in a non-assuring manner.
"Yeah, we could help her, help her carry her money bag." The tall one laughed as the three advanced.
I must say, in my defense, that this had NOT been a good day. And it was only going to get worse.
"Fuck off."
"Well, well. It appears that we have found ourselves a feisty one." The leader put his hand to his waist and the other two followed suit. I realized that they were all carrying swords.
"I think we should teach her it is not her place to be rude." They snickered.
Rule one: Never fight against weapons if you haven't got one yourself, unless they have no chance of winning. And they've always got a chance.
Dammit. They had swords which they had decided to draw. The only thing I seemed to have was a fan. Great…. That'll help…. Waitwaitwait! Maybe that'll work! It's worth a try….
"Maybe we can let her off with just a warning…so long as she apologizes. Hand over your money and we won't have to hurt you." They chuckled.
"No."
"What!? How DARE you refuse!? For that insolence, you will PAY!" The leader nodded to the chubby thug, who decided to rush me. I pulled out my fan, which sent the remaining two into gales of laughter. "What's she going to do? Fan us?"
The chubby thug reached me and thrust his blade towards my mid-section. I stepped to the side and let his sword pierce the fan. I twisted the fan and the sword flew out of the thug's hand. It spun in the air before I caught it and brought the handle full to bear down on the thug's head. He crumpled lake a sack of potatoes. I pushed him away from myself. The other two were shocked into stunned silence. This was a plus for me.
"………Excuse me, are these men bugging you Lady? Would you like some assistance?…"
I turned. At the front of the alley, the end I had entered from, stood a rather short red-headed man in odd-looking robes of some sort or another. At his side was a much taller man wearing a white pant and jacket combo. They looked ok, but I'd have to pay attention to them later. They weren't attacking me, so I could focus back on the two who would, as soon as they recovered.
"No, I'm fine. Just stay there." Better safe than sorry. I was still holding the thug's sword.
Rule two: Never fight in something you can't move in. If you have to, use whatever force necessary to ensure movement.
I bent and began chopping off the bottom of my kimono, to about my knees. The thugs seemed to be recovering.
"Uh…. what the?…….."
I ripped off my sleeves. Now I could move. Good thing too, they seem to be over their shock. The thugs seemed to confer for a moment, then simultaneously rushed me. I shifted into position and raised the sword. I hate fighting with foreign weapons. The thugs were about three feet away from me when I jumped forward. I somersaulted overtop of them and kicked one in the back as I passed their heads. I landed and spun. The one I had kicked was on the ground. The tall one was still standing. He charged me again, screaming about disrespect. Frankly, I didn't care. I managed to graze his shoulder, and in his shock, I smashed his temple with the flat of my blade. I started to turn when my arm seemed to catch fire. I had been maneuvered towards the leader! I cursed myself for not noticing and jumped back. I examined my arm. There was a deep gash from the top of my shoulder to my elbow. Damn. My arm was pretty useless. I was willing to bet he had cut some muscle. I am so glad I'm too high on adrenaline to feel this right now. I switched my sword to my left hand and looked past the remaining thug to see the two 'spectators' were moving back and forth, unsure whether to help, or stay as I had asked. I decided to help them out. I charged the thug, calling out as I ran.
"If I send him towards you, can you knock him out? Not kill him?"
"Y-Yes." I wasn't sure who answered, but it didn't matter much anyway.
"Then here!" I broke away from my own personal melee and backflipped over the thug. As I came down behind him, I uncurled, and pushed my feet into the small of his back with every ounce of strength I had. The thug lost his balance and half fell/ half tripped his way towards the two strangers. He regained his balance and decided to attack the two he found in front of him.
He swung his sword rather half-hazzardly at the two. I watched the red-head move, and saw his sword out, away from him. I realized that I hadn't seen the swing. Wow, he's good! I realized that the thug had stopped moving. He collapsed in a heap. I ran towards them.
"What did you do?! I asked if you'd do it WITHOUT killing him!" I reached the two and watched the red-head replace his sword in it's scabbard. A glint of light from it caught my eye. The blade is backwards! He couldn't have killed him. I looked back at the fallen thug. He's still breathing!
I turned towards the red-head. "Sakaba…" I whispered
"You recognize my sword?' Waitaminute! That voice! That hair!
"Kenshin!? Sanosuke?"
Their eyes narrowed. "How do you know us? Who are you?"
"I-Owwwww." My adrenaline decided to take a vacation. My pain came crashing back. One of my sleeves lay discarded at my feet. I picked it up and used it to wrap my arm. My hair had been tied with a lot of ribbon, and a horn-shaped thingie stuck in the middle. I untied my hair and let the horn-thingie fall. I used the ribbon to tie my makeshift bandage tight. The whole time I was talking.
"I came to Tokyo to speak with you and Sanosuke. I…. Ow…Need your help…I…." I suddenly felt extremely dizzy. "I….I…."
"She's lost a lot of blood. Fought well, though." The voices sounded so far away…That's not right
"Have to……..help……….."
I felt the ground rise up towards me and saw nothing but black…
***********
What am I doing? Where am I? And why am I in so much pain? The last group of events came crashing back to me. I was unconscious. I'm in Tokyo…somewhere. And you've got a particularly bad wound. I opened my eyes. I was inside, somewhere. You found Kenshin and Sanosuke…I sat up, and immediately regretted it. The room began to swim and I tried to grab my head, but found my right arm in a bandage. And really painful to move.
"You had better take it slow. You lost a lot of blood in that fight." I turned to see Kenshin was sitting at my side.
"Kenshin!" I couldn't believe how relieved I felt. But what about-
"Is Sanosuke here?" PleasePleasePleasePleasePlease-
"Yo." Sanosuke walked through a doorway opposite me. I looked around and realized I was in a dojo…Well, there was a good chance of it.
"Where am I?" I groaned. I hurt all over. Sano leaned against a wall. Kenshin glared at me, then smiled. Oh my God! His eyes just changed! They had shifted from being very narrow and angular and were now very open and round. I can't believe that actually happens in real life!
"You're in Kaoru's Dojo. I'm looking after it while she's out."
"Now tell us. How do you know us?" Sano was still leaning against the wall, but you couldn't mistake the ice in his voice.
"Sano…." Kenshin turned towards him.
"No Kenshin. It's all right. I need to explain. I…." Another wave of dizziness hit me.
"No. I don't want you saying another word until you regain your strength. Come. I'll make you some tea. Then, perhaps, we'll talk." Kenshin helped me towards a low table on a raised platform covered in cushions. "Sit here. Sano watch her. I'll get the kettle." Kenshin walked towards the doorway.
"She won't get away." Sano smacked his fist into his palm.
"Watch her so she doesn't pass out and fall again. She won't go anywhere. She can barely move."
Sanosuke looked embarrassed. "Um yeah…. right. Sorry."
I sighed. My arm wasn't any better. I had a huge migraine. And my body just wasn't used to this much fighting. It's odd. My skills seem to be improving, but I don't know why. Unless the PTB are helping. But It seems like they have less and less power to give out at each dimension we travel to. Another wave of pain shot through my arm, forcing me to grab it. Sano shifted at my sudden movement, but stayed where he had positioned himself. Against a wall.
Wait a minute…. My thoughts shifted to the last time I was with Kevy. He gave me a key…and some Ambrosia! In a little vial! If I could find it, all my pains would be over. Literally. I fumbled inside what was left of my kimono. No secret pockets. It's not tucked inside the belt. Damn it! Where could it be? My mind went back to the end of my fight. I had undone my hair and a horn shaped thing fell. Come to think of it, it was amber…It could have been glass. Damn you Kevy! Why do you have to be so clever in hiding things!? I could have cried I was so frustrated. Instead I did the next best thing. I slammed my good hand on the table in front of me and cursed.
"My my. For a lady you have quite the vocabulary." Sano snickered. "What would cause such an industrious person such as yourself to be so upset?"
"I left something that was given to me back in that alley." I sighed. "It's probably gone by now."
"Do you mean this?" Sano held up the vial/hair thingie. It was empty. "It cracked when it fell, so whatever was in it leaked out. But I thought it might have been important to you and I figured that it could always be repaired, so I brought it back for you." He handed it to me. I examined it- Not a drop left. And sighed.
"Thank you Sano. That was very kind of you."
He smiled. "No problem. About that fight. Where did you learn to handle a sword like that?"
"While that is a question I too would like an answer to, I believe I said for you to regain your strength first." Kenshin walked into the room carrying a tray. "Now drink something. You can explain everything when you're done."
*****
"………..And that's why I'm here."
I waited for their reactions. I already knew what they would be. Shock. Disbelief. Maybe a little anger to spice it up. Everyone reacted this way.
"If we don't come with you to this 'ship'…" Kenshin's stare seemed to bore through me. I returned the look with level eyes of my own.
"Than this world will be destroyed. And everyone will die."
Sano stretched out. We were sitting around the table, facing each other. He turned his attention to me. "Well, how do we know you're telling the truth?" He acted as though someone came to him asking to save the world every day.
"Well, would making the portal appear right now work?" I was running out of ideas.
"Yeah, riiiiiiiiiiight. You'll make a portal appear out of nowhere. You have got to be kidding! Right Kenshin? Kenshin…? Ke-" He looked to where I had been pointing and where Kenshin was avidly staring. The portal hung a foot in the air, waiting. "Shiiiit."
Kenshin stood up and headed towards the doorway. "Let's go Sano. Help her up, will you?" Kenshin waited by the door.
"We're just going to leave? But…But….' Sano seemed slightly surprised. Me? I was shocked beyond all reason.
"You're going to go? I don't have to do anything else to convince you, say anything else?"
"Why should you? You have proven your words to be true. Besides, I worked hard to bring peace to this land. I won't have it destroyed. Come on Sano."
Sanosuke stood up and helped my to my feet. Together the three of us walked through the portal. Sano spoke. "I sure hope I don't regret this Kenshin."
"You won't. Remember, she said there would be other warriors there. Maybe you'll find a new sparring partner."
We passed through the portal and I welcomed the feeling of being swallowed by the dimensions.
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Kevy handed me the list.
"Well Jenn, you've got many names…and little time. Do you need 'Kevy-baby's' wittle hewlp."
"Cut the baby act, fool. I've got to decide on where to go next…"
"How about Vampire Princess Miyu world?"
"…Kevy…Amanda would KILL ME!!! Even I know not to hone in on her Miyu. I'd be a walking corpse."
"All right…how about Escaflowne world?"
"Hmm…you know, that's a good idea. And there are other guys with wings, Kevy my man."
I think he ruffled a bit, somewhat like a cat. Then he cracked his knuckles and stretched his arms.
"Maybe I should challenge them. Do you think I got what it takes?"
"I don't know Kevy…these guys are like angels…and you're more like a…seagull!"
His eyes lit up in anger, and he picked me up from the floor. He kept his hands on my shoulders and turned me around.
"You know Jenn…you should be more careful with what you say to me…"
I lifted my finger and poked his nose while making a honking noise.
"Awwwwww….you're so cute, Kevy-baby!"
He sighed and pushed me into the portal."
"Don't forget to cross off the lissssss……….."
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I was back in the hall of dimensions. Again. I slumped to the floor as there was no longer anyone supporting me. At least I'm not wearing a kimono any more. That's a plus. Where's that whistle? Now I can call Kevy. I found the key/whistle hanging on a cord around my neck. I blew, but heard nothing. Huh? Kevy appeared in an instant. It must be some sort of silent whistle, like the ones for dogs. Kevy looked at me.
"What are you doing!? Why the hell are you doing just sitting there!? We don't have much time! Come on!" He stopped and slow realization dawned on his face. "Amanda. What happened to your arm?" He knelt down beside me and looked at my bandage. He slowly began to unwind the wrapping.
"I was in a fight. Specifically, Some goons attacked me. I knocked them all out, but their leader managed to do this to me." Kevy examined my gash. "I'm sitting like this because I can't seem to stand by myself at the moment."
Kevy blushed. "I'm so sorry Amanda. Why didn't you take the ambrosia I gave you, or at least have called for help?" I held up what was left of the vial.
"Because of your unique way of hiding things, this smashed when it hit the ground, after I undid my hair ribbon to tie my bandage." I sighed. " I didn't have time to call for help, I was kind of busy attempting to relieve some thugs of their weapons without one of my own, and I had no idea where the key was in the first place."
"Damn it, I knew I should have done this before. I'm so sorry." Kevy sat back beside me.
"You've said that already. What should you have done?"
"This." Kevy seemed to reach into nowhere and pull out a sword. The most beautiful one that I'd ever laid eyes on. He handed it to me, with a glass of ambrosia. "Drink. It won't make that wound disappear, and you'll probably have a scar, but the pain'll go away, and most of it will heal. Like I said. It'll cure almost anything."
I gulped down the amber liquid and felt the pain disappear. I looked to my wound. There wasn't much there except an angry looking welt where the gash had once been. I'd take that welt to the gash anyday. "Great. Now, what about this sword? Why should you have pulled it out before?"
"It's the Crystal Knight. And it's yours. It will become any blade that you should wish." He sounded like he was quoting something, but I didn't press the matter.
"Why is it mine? And how does it change?" I held it in the light. It was amazing. Exactly the length and balance I looked for in a sword. With a handle that seemed to fit itself to my hand and an edge I bet I could split hair on, it was perfect.
"It has to do with your inherent talent of sword play. It will stay with you wherever you go, and you can pull it out from zero space whenever you need it. It's pans-dimensional. And it will become anything you shape it to be inside your mind. Jennifer has a pans-dimensional gun that will assist her with her knowledge of weapons."
"Inherent talent? Knowledge of what?"
"Let me explain…"
***********
"Well that makes sense. And we'll both get magic too, right?"
"Yes."
"Great. Well, I'll just have to wait for mine to appear…. Oh well, enough chit chat." I put the sword back into z-space. "It's time to go." I walked up to the list. Hmmmmm…what's left? Oh My God! I'm going there! Ha Jen! Eat your heart out!
I opened the door and tripped through the portal into the world of Vampire Princess Miyu.
"Oh shit…Oh Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!!
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"Liiiiiiiiisssssssssst!!!"
I landed with a thud on a soft bed. I groaned and looked to my side.
"…..oww….(GASP)"
I was laying beside Allen Shizzar. Oh dear god…it's ALLEN!!!
It's a good thing I didn't yell out, or else he'd wake up and cut my head off. Aw…he looks so cute when he sleeps…
I made sure he was asleep then slowly got off the bed. I noticed that I was no longer wearing shorts and looked down at my clothes. I was dressed in this sissy, light blue dress. The bodice was like a corset, but not as tight, and it had short sleeves attached, along with a collar. The long skirt part looked like it wasn't attached to the bodice, and was flowy. I slipped my gun into the VERY convenient garter belt. (NOT A WORD!!!) I cursed quietly to myself.
"Damn that Kevy and his twisted sense of humor. Me…in a dress…with a..gar...ter…belt…ugh…!"
I felt a hand come around my neck and pull me back. I immediately went tense. I was pulled back to the person's chest, and I felt his chin rest on my head.
"uh…are you Allen…"
"Mmmmm…. and who might you be?"
"I'm a friend…and I've come to warn you of something-"
His other hand touched the gun from the outside of the skirt thingy.
"And what might this weapon be?"
"Um…I-It's not a weapon…it's an old…family…heirloom!"
He slid his chin down to my shoulder and whispered in my ear.
"I don't believe you…show it to me…now."
I didn't feel like getting him mad. As I reached under the skirt, the idea of shooting him popped into my head. No, no, NO!!! Bad thoughts go AWAY! I'd never shoot Allen…he's too…well…I DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN MYSELF! I'm not going to shoot him…I'll reason with him.
As I pulled out the gun, someone knocked on the door. Princess Millerna walked in.
Oh boy, this is going to be awkward…
"Allen it's time to-"
She stopped dead in her tracks and stared at me…then at Allen…then at my hand under my skirt.
REALLY awkward…
Allen looked at her in surprise, but still held me in place.
"Princess I…"
Before he could say anymore, Millerna turned, walked out of the room, and slammed the door. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. Allen sighed, then turned back to me.
"All right, you've caused me enough trouble, just hand over the weapon, then we can talk."
I finished pulling the gun out and handed it to him.
"Now Allen, don't touch anything on it or your head might be blown off."
"I'll keep that in mind. Now go sit in the chair by the window and say what you're going to say."
He released me and I walked over to the wooden chair. I sat down and crossed my legs. Allen sat on the bed.
"My name is Jennifer, and I'm from…a different world. I've come to save you, Van, and Drydan from a horrible disaster that will wipe out your world…"
I purposely left out Folken, Aria, and Naria, considering that they were Allen's enemies at the moment…
I explained the rest of the story to him, then let it sink in.
"How do I know you're not lying?"
I sighed…then told him everything I knew about the Escaflowne world. Including the information about his son. He looked deep in thought for a moment, then he stood up and walked over to the window.
"So…you're short on time…"
"Yes."
"Then I'll speed this along…"
He pulled me up from the chair and dragged me out of the room. We stopped at the nearest guard, who looked at us oddly. I didn't blame him. I was in the process of straightening my dress, which had been yanked in about five different directions… Allen asked him to summon Van and Dryden, and tell them to meet him in the dining room. He thus nodded to the guard and continued dragging me around the palace. He sat me down in a dining room chair and ordered the maids to get us drinks. He sat beside me and caught his breath. I was doing the same.
"Allen…what are you going to say to Millerna?"
"Well…since the world is going to be destroyed…I might as well forget explaining. It would be meaningless."
"Oh, good point. And…this is very hard for me to tell you, but I need to bring some people you don't like too."
"Who…"
"Folken, Aria, and Naria…"
"But they're with Zaibach!"
"I know, I know…but…it's too hard to explain…just trust me."
At that moment, Van and Dryden entered the room. Allen motioned for them to take seats.
Dryden smiled at me, and I blushed in return.
"So, who's this lovely lady?"
Allen laughed a bit.
"Let me tell you what's going on."
********
Dryden and Van were reluctant at first, but Allen was REALLY convincing. He's so talented! Mehehehehe! They agreed to go, and Van offered to go and get Folken, Aria, and Naria.
"I'll come with you Van."
"No you-"
"There's NO WAY you could convince them to come without me being there."
"…Okay, but you have to watch out for anything and everything."
"Definitely. Oh, and Allen?"
"Yes?"
"Can I have my weapon back? I need a way to defend myself."
He handed to gun over to me carefully.
"Be careful Jennifer…"
"Oh I'll be fine! We'll be back soon!"
We headed to the Escaflowne and Van transformed it into a dragon. We both climbed onto it's back, and flew out the large doors.
"Woooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww! We're going SO fast…and SO high! I LOVE IT!!!"
We soared through the sky. I've done a lot of flying in the last while…but I wish I could do it myself. I know I'll miss this when we return back to our universe…
"There's Zaibach!"
Van pointed ahead to a large…. Very large ship thingy.
Hmmm…. Just like the show…
We flew to the side, hoping to slide in unnoticed. We failed. Hordes of Gymelleths came at us from the left. We dodged them and hurried to land inside the main doors. We abandoned the Escaflowne and both ran to the entrance to two hallways. It was going to be a guess and check as to where Folken and the sisters were, so we started down a random hallway. Just as we were entering the first doors, we were pushed inside by what felt like a strong wind. We fell to the ground and looked up at three figures.
(Writers notes… "Hey Jen, how did you get pushed in by a gust of wind?"
"I don't know, Folcan did it.")
"My dear brother…what brings you to Zaibach?"
I could see the hatred gathering in Van's eyes, so I decided to answer Folken.
"My dear Lord Folken" I bowed in respect. "My name is Jennifer, and I am from a different world…different than Hitomi's. I bring you the terrible news of the demolition of this world. I am here to gather several people from each universe to help restore order after the disaster. They are needed so we can re-create the worlds from their memories. You, Aria, and Naria are ones I need to save, along with Van, Allen, and Drydan. I know this may be hard to believe…but would we come here alone, without violence, and without the help of Escaflowne if we had wanted to hurt you?"
Folken looked shocked at first, but smiled, and nodded after it sunk in.
"I suppose you're right."
"But Lord Folken-"
"Aria, Naria, get your Gymelleths. We will return with them."
The two nodded and ran down the hallway. Van looked over at Folken with an untrusting eye.
"So…will you be riding with us then?"
Folcan looked up and sighed.
"Mmmm…I guess I shall."
I put my hands on my hips and gave them an exasperated look.
"Okay guys, enough with the 'he's my enemy' thing. We've got very little time. So let's hop on Escaflowne and get ourselves back to Allen and Drydan."
They gave me a surprised look, dropped their heads, and filed themselves out the door.
"Hrumph!…That's better!" I love taking charge! ^_^
I followed behind them and we walked back into the large room that held Escaflowne. Aria and Naria were waiting for us.
"Lord Folcan, you should ride with us."
"That's all right Aria, I'll ride with Jennifer and Van."
"Are you sure?"
Folcan nodded then turned to me.
"Shall we go then?"
"Uh huh!"
We climbed onto the Escaflowne and were about to leave when a red Gymelleths landed in front of us.
"FOLCAN!!! WHAT are you DOING?!?!?"
"Dilandau…I'm…I'm…uh…capturing the enemy!"
The face plate on the Gymelleth popped up and Dilandau stuck his head out and glared at us.
"Hmmm…okay."
He jumped out of his Gymelleth and brushed back his hair.
"I'll meet you in the interrogation room then."
He turned his back to us and walked down the hallway, out of sight. Everyone stared at Folcan.
"…What?"
I shook my head.
"Folcan, what the hell was that?"
"We needed to get rid of him so we could leave…so I did."
"Right…" What a fucking moron… "Okay, let's go!"
We flew away from Zaibach with Aria and Naria close behind.
Allen, Drydan and Millerna were waiting for us as we hopped off the Escaflowne. Millerna stuck her nose in the air when she'd seen me. So, I stuck my tongue out at her. She looked like she was going to faint.
"Allen, I will NOT tolerate this insolent girl!"
Millerna turned her back on us….stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp…grrr…SLAM!
Allen looked shocked and Dryden just smiled.
"Kinda bitchy, isn't she."
I walked up to Dryden and gave him a smile.
"You were always one of my favorites…"
"W-What are you talking about?"
"Oh, you'll never know…he he…"
I walked over to Van, leaving Dryden more confused then he'd ever been.
"All right guys…here…is the portal. Shove in!"
Everyone looked at me funny. Oh goody, back to this are we? I grabbed Van and shoved him into the portal.
"AHHHH-"
"Now boys…I don't have to do the same for you, do I?"
They all shook their heads and Dryden walked through the door, completely scared out of his mind. Folcan motioned for Aria and Naria to come. They latched onto his arms, and together walked through the portal. Allen started to walk towards the door, and I latched onto his arm.
"I'll see YOU on the ark, Allen-baby."
We walked through the portal, and as I arrived on the other side, I felt Allen slip away.
"…I miss him already…"
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