Hey peeps!! Here it is, Chapter 17!!! Soz if it took too long!!!! I just wanna say ta for all the reviews I'm getting, and for the support off my gang: Shona (shona 3000), Amy (Amy2k), Sian, Liz, Nia, and Cerys. This fanfic is dedicated to all you guys!!!! I love ya all man!!! ^____^!!!! Anyway, enough of my sentimental babbling, on wiv Chappy number 17.

Chapter 17: The Rising Of The War

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King Van strode purposefully into the cavern, where the armies of his allies had been assembled, each one arrayed in their country's colours; Freid, purple and white, lead by Chid, Zaibach, navy and gold, ruled by Dryden, Asturia, blue and white, under the command of Allen, and Zenba, red and black, lead by Hitomi's father, King Laguna. Fanelia's army stood in the centre of the cavern, spectacular in their shades of emerald green and white. The five armies stood proudly, armour glinting, gymelefs oiled and weapons sharpened. The four captains walked up to the King.

'Van, the armies are assembled and ready to leave on your command' Dryden said.

'How many do we have?' asked Van.

'50,000 altogether. 30,000 in gymelefs, 10,000 on horseback and 10,000 on foot. We are quite the army.' Laguna replied. Van smiled.

'My friends, I thank you. I don't know how this is going to end, but whatever the outcome, I will do my best to protect you, your people and your countries. I couldn't have asked for better friends. Now, ready your armies. Are the women and children safe?' Van asked. Everyone nodded. 'Good. We set off immediately.' The five friends strode quickly to their gymelefs, and as Van jumped into Escaflowne and sounded the advance, they set off towards the harbour, where the boats would take them to the bleak desert lands of Mauvais.

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Rough hands shook Krystel awake. She looked around through half-open eyes. Two men, blurred, stood infront of her. One spoke.

'So, your finally awake, eh Princess?' Dezir. She should have known. 'Just thought I'd bring you some news. Your Daddy declined my offer to swap you for his kingdom, the fool, so it looks like your stuck with me. Still, maybe he'll change his mind when he hears the next offer. This time he won't be refusing my generosity so easily. He'll learn I'm not a man to be toyed with.' He turned to go, his guard leaving fresh food and water on the cold stone floor. As he reached the door, he paused. 'It's a pity really' He turned to face her. 'You're such a pretty little thing' He smiled and walked out the room, closing the door behind him, leaving Krystel alone in the dim light once more.

She crawled over to the food and water. She ate in silence, thoughts whizzing round her head. What was Dezir's new plan? What was a pity? What was he going to do to her? And what about the dream? The amulet? What did it mean? She could still see it, the five-pointed star, it's gems glittering. And the word, pentacle? It was all so confusing. Krystel shook her head. If only Leon was here, she thought. Oh Leon. A pink light started glowing from her top. The pendant.

Krystel took it out. There, inside the crimson stone, was Leon's face. A thought came into her mind. Maybe she could reach Leon through the pendant. It might not work, she thought, but it's worth a try. She concentrated on the pendant, on Leon.

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Leon stared at the water. How could this happen. One minute he was happier than ever, finally finding Krystel. And now, now she was gone. And here he was, staring at the sea from the deck of a ship, waiting to set off with a giant army to rescue his one true love. Brilliant. Leon sighed. Suddenly the water he was staring at shimmered. It was turning pink. Leon couldn't believe his eyes. There in the water was Krystel's face. Now this is getting weird, thought Leon. But then the face spoke.

'Leon, Leon can you hear me? I don't know if you can, but if you are there, I, I just want you to know, I love you. I think about you all the time. Come and rescue me, please. I don't know where I am. Dezir has me locked up in a stone room. Please hurry. Tell my father that Dezir is planning something worse. He said that he wouldn't be able to refuse this time. Tell my parents I love them. Say hi to everyone else. Goodbye Leon. Come quickly. I love you.' The image started to fade.

'I'm coming Krystel. I love you!' Leon shouted at the dimming face. He leaned over the rail so much, he almost fell into the water! But someone grabbed him from the back. Leon turned to look at the startled face of King Van. He immediately told him what he had just seen. Van frowned.

'Hmm, let's go report this to the others' he said, and they walked off together.

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Krystel smiled. He had heard her. She sighed, and looked around her dull prison. I only hope he comes quickly, she thought. She shook her head, and with that Krystel settled off to sleep.

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Voila!! Fini!!! There's your Chapter 17 in other words!!! What do you think!!!! I know it's not very long, but hey!! Will Krystel be rescued? What is Dezir's plan? Will Leon and Krystel ever be together again?? Find out all that and more in the chappys to come!!!! Well, see ya, please R+R!!!! Happy writings!!! Byeeeeeeeee!! Love Alex360!!!!