Part 13
I had found a way! After all of this time, I finally found a way home. I didn't know why I hadn't thought of it before! The pendant! Hitomi's pendant that she left with Van. It would send us all home. But Van left it in Fanelia, the twit. I began the plans right away. We would begin the greatest challenge of our lives in a couple of days. Starting with Phase 1: Dilandau's Downfall.
Phase One: Dilandau's Downfall
I had been working on the plans tirelessly for two days. I finally called all of my earth friends and non-Zibach affiliated Gaia friends to the plushy pillow room and told them, plain and simple, Earthlings, you are coming home, end of story. Gaia guys, you are going to help us get there!
We began executing the plan immediately and everything was perfect. Step one of Phase one was isolation. All of us captured the Dragon Slayers and began to get rid of them. We put them into all of the cells and had the Ghost Busters on guard duty. Slowly, one by one, isolation was being fulfilled. After about a day and a half, the only Dragon Slayer left was Dilandau himself. Oh and Chesta... he was bent on helping us.
Step two was to demean him by beating him at something he was good at. I chose sword play. Only I wasn't very good. But I had a plan you see. I had a very good plan. I asked Dilandau to join me for a drink. I needed to get him tipsy, so he wouldn't find the later events obviously strange. We drank some of the famous purple wine that everyone in Gaia seems to have. It was really sweet. We drank a lot.
Dilandau could hold his alcohol. I, on the other hand, could not. And I found out the hard way. By the time Dilandau was tipsy, I couldn't see straight, much less hold a sword. But that's okay, because I wasn't going to be fighting Dilandau.
"Do you want to make a small wager, Dilly?" I slurred.
"What sort of wager?" He giggled.
"How about a battle. Just you and me... with swords..... but no cutting, god no... just you and me."
"Okay. What are we wagering... your freedom?"
"Been there, done that. How about all of my friends' freedom!"
"Ummm. Okay. If I win, I want you."
"......... beg pardon?"
"To kill you, you know... geez, get your mind out of the gutter!"
"Okay, okay."
Meanwhile, Milerna and Rebecca were putting their touches on Allen, the gallant swordsman. Crimping his hair slightly, putting on make up. Chesta was picking out a dress that somewhat resembled the one I was wearing with Dilandau, and one that would fit Allen. Allen would beat Dilandau, and he would think it was me. Blond hair, blue eyes, you know.
The plan was working perfectly. We were to meet in the hall where he had taken me the very first time I got to Gaia, where we had our first battle encounter. But I wasn't going. Allen was going in my place. I just hoped everything went well.
I waited outside, listening for my que to come in after Allen had beaten him. I prayed Dilandau was tipsy enough not to notice I was about three feet taller and much stronger! It worked! For once on this whole damn trip, something had gone right! Onto Part Three, Phase One, Allen beating Dil.
The battle lasted such a long time. But finally an audible thud could be heard and we were all tense with excitement and anxiety of who could have fallen. Allen came out of the room, all dolled up. Dilandau lay face down on the floor, knocked out. Allen handed me his sword. "Time to switch places.... you owe me." He whispered.
I sat down next to the unconscious Dilandau and waited for him to reawaken. When he finally did, he saw me, holding my own sword and his. The blood on his lip told him he had been knocked out. I saw him putting two and two together and realizing I had won. It shattered him. That was exactly what I was going for.
And we were all free!
Phase Two: Pendant Pick-up
Now that we were free to leave, we had to get to Fanelia. It's a good thing the crusade was still there. The crew got it up an running and we boarded.
"I was looking forward to having you on the team." Said Dilandau, before I left. Way to break my heart.... "By the way, do you know where everyone is?"
"Chesta will tell you. Good bye, Dilandau." I said.
"Good bye... uh..." He suddenly flushed.
"Julie." I said. "My name is Julie."
"I never really asked, did I?"
"Nope. But that's okay. I had a lot of fun here. Thanks for everything, Mr. Dilandau. But I really want to go home."
"And you've figured out a way to do so?" he asked.
"Yes. The pendant will send us home. I'm sure."
"Okay."
"Hey. I can't go on knowing we were still at "war." What do you say we call it a truce before I head out? Hmm?"
Dilandau hesitated. "Okay," He said finally. "It's a truce. Good bye, Julie."
"Good bye," I said, and gave him a hug. Just a quick one, because he wrinkled his nose and retaliated with a small shove.
So the lot of us got on the Crusade: the ghost busters, the vampires, Rebecca, Lacey, Amanda, SuperShaun, Joanna, John, Justin, Buffy and gang, Allen, Van, Milerna, Merle, the Crusade crew, and myself.
I waved over the back edge to Dilandau and Chesta. The other Dragon Slayers joined in. "Thanks Gatti and Chesta. Bye everyone. I'll miss you!!" I called out.
"We'll miss you too!"
"Bye Julie!"
"Have a safe journey!"
"Good bye!!"
They were all waving and I was touched. A single tear ran down my face as I came to the realization that I was leaving all of my new friends behind. Soon the floating fortress was out of sight.
We arrived at Fanelia later that evening. But again, my luck has to prove intolerable. Everyone stayed on the Crusade except Van and I. The two of us went to retrieve the Pendent. As we were walking through the halls of Van's magnificent castle, I found myself feeling like I could drop everything and stay on Gaia! No, Julie. You don't have a chance with Van. Staying would be dumb.
"What are you thinking about?" Van asked me, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"Oh nothing," I sighed.
"You know... you are the only one that wants to go back..."
"What are you saying?" I asked, shocked.
"Maybe you should re-think what you are doing."said Van.
"And just what am I doing, Van? Ruining your little love affair with my friend?! I can't help but be resentful. But I don't really have a thing for you anymore, so eat your heart out. I want to go home." I stopped and took a deep breath. We had stopped walking. "And I'm not the only one. Joanna and John and Shaun, they all want to come back with me. All of the TV stars want nothing more than to go back. Look. I am obligated to make sure they make it home."
"Since when is that YOUR obligation!? They are all old enough to make their own decisions!" He snapped.
"VAN!!...." I yelled. I didn't have an answer. I stared at him. Van Fanel. King of Fanelia. I will leave and never see him again. Just like I left all of the Dragon Slayers and will never see them again. After a long pause, I said, "Alright Van. I'll let them choose. I'll let all of them choose. Let's get the Pendent and then return to the crusade. Then they will all make their choices. Watch and see how hectic it will be when someone isn't making their choices for them."
"Okay."
So we got the Pendant and returned to the ship. This was all unexpected and wasn't going according to plan. (And I worked so hard on it too!)
"Alright!" I called out to everyone, sounding annoyed with the whole affair, but I couldn't help it. "If you are from Gaia, go over there, so I have just the people from Earth with me." I indicated a wall on one edge of the crowded room. "Now... those of you who want to go home, come stand behind me. If you want to stay on Gaia, by all means, join them." I indicated the Gaia group.
Joanna came to my side right away. Everyone else hesitated, to see who would make what move. Just as I had suspected, the Movie Stars all came over to stand with me, followed by John not long after. Rebecca, after seeing that her vampires had returned, came and joined my group. Lacey, Amanda, SuperShaun, Justin, were left. SuperShaun and Amanda will be next, I thought. but they remained where they were. The four of them remained there. They didn't go over to the Gaia group or to mine. They were completely indecisive.
"Guys, you know what's right. Come on. Let's go home."
They hesitated, but then finally agreed to it.
"Okay!" said Lacey, as they all moved over with us. "Let's go home!
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that."
We all turned to see Van, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Dangling from his other hand was the Pendant.
"But... Van," said Lacey. Too late.
Van had whipped the Pendant out of the flying Crusade.
Our chance was gone... forever.
I had found a way! After all of this time, I finally found a way home. I didn't know why I hadn't thought of it before! The pendant! Hitomi's pendant that she left with Van. It would send us all home. But Van left it in Fanelia, the twit. I began the plans right away. We would begin the greatest challenge of our lives in a couple of days. Starting with Phase 1: Dilandau's Downfall.
Phase One: Dilandau's Downfall
I had been working on the plans tirelessly for two days. I finally called all of my earth friends and non-Zibach affiliated Gaia friends to the plushy pillow room and told them, plain and simple, Earthlings, you are coming home, end of story. Gaia guys, you are going to help us get there!
We began executing the plan immediately and everything was perfect. Step one of Phase one was isolation. All of us captured the Dragon Slayers and began to get rid of them. We put them into all of the cells and had the Ghost Busters on guard duty. Slowly, one by one, isolation was being fulfilled. After about a day and a half, the only Dragon Slayer left was Dilandau himself. Oh and Chesta... he was bent on helping us.
Step two was to demean him by beating him at something he was good at. I chose sword play. Only I wasn't very good. But I had a plan you see. I had a very good plan. I asked Dilandau to join me for a drink. I needed to get him tipsy, so he wouldn't find the later events obviously strange. We drank some of the famous purple wine that everyone in Gaia seems to have. It was really sweet. We drank a lot.
Dilandau could hold his alcohol. I, on the other hand, could not. And I found out the hard way. By the time Dilandau was tipsy, I couldn't see straight, much less hold a sword. But that's okay, because I wasn't going to be fighting Dilandau.
"Do you want to make a small wager, Dilly?" I slurred.
"What sort of wager?" He giggled.
"How about a battle. Just you and me... with swords..... but no cutting, god no... just you and me."
"Okay. What are we wagering... your freedom?"
"Been there, done that. How about all of my friends' freedom!"
"Ummm. Okay. If I win, I want you."
"......... beg pardon?"
"To kill you, you know... geez, get your mind out of the gutter!"
"Okay, okay."
Meanwhile, Milerna and Rebecca were putting their touches on Allen, the gallant swordsman. Crimping his hair slightly, putting on make up. Chesta was picking out a dress that somewhat resembled the one I was wearing with Dilandau, and one that would fit Allen. Allen would beat Dilandau, and he would think it was me. Blond hair, blue eyes, you know.
The plan was working perfectly. We were to meet in the hall where he had taken me the very first time I got to Gaia, where we had our first battle encounter. But I wasn't going. Allen was going in my place. I just hoped everything went well.
I waited outside, listening for my que to come in after Allen had beaten him. I prayed Dilandau was tipsy enough not to notice I was about three feet taller and much stronger! It worked! For once on this whole damn trip, something had gone right! Onto Part Three, Phase One, Allen beating Dil.
The battle lasted such a long time. But finally an audible thud could be heard and we were all tense with excitement and anxiety of who could have fallen. Allen came out of the room, all dolled up. Dilandau lay face down on the floor, knocked out. Allen handed me his sword. "Time to switch places.... you owe me." He whispered.
I sat down next to the unconscious Dilandau and waited for him to reawaken. When he finally did, he saw me, holding my own sword and his. The blood on his lip told him he had been knocked out. I saw him putting two and two together and realizing I had won. It shattered him. That was exactly what I was going for.
And we were all free!
Phase Two: Pendant Pick-up
Now that we were free to leave, we had to get to Fanelia. It's a good thing the crusade was still there. The crew got it up an running and we boarded.
"I was looking forward to having you on the team." Said Dilandau, before I left. Way to break my heart.... "By the way, do you know where everyone is?"
"Chesta will tell you. Good bye, Dilandau." I said.
"Good bye... uh..." He suddenly flushed.
"Julie." I said. "My name is Julie."
"I never really asked, did I?"
"Nope. But that's okay. I had a lot of fun here. Thanks for everything, Mr. Dilandau. But I really want to go home."
"And you've figured out a way to do so?" he asked.
"Yes. The pendant will send us home. I'm sure."
"Okay."
"Hey. I can't go on knowing we were still at "war." What do you say we call it a truce before I head out? Hmm?"
Dilandau hesitated. "Okay," He said finally. "It's a truce. Good bye, Julie."
"Good bye," I said, and gave him a hug. Just a quick one, because he wrinkled his nose and retaliated with a small shove.
So the lot of us got on the Crusade: the ghost busters, the vampires, Rebecca, Lacey, Amanda, SuperShaun, Joanna, John, Justin, Buffy and gang, Allen, Van, Milerna, Merle, the Crusade crew, and myself.
I waved over the back edge to Dilandau and Chesta. The other Dragon Slayers joined in. "Thanks Gatti and Chesta. Bye everyone. I'll miss you!!" I called out.
"We'll miss you too!"
"Bye Julie!"
"Have a safe journey!"
"Good bye!!"
They were all waving and I was touched. A single tear ran down my face as I came to the realization that I was leaving all of my new friends behind. Soon the floating fortress was out of sight.
We arrived at Fanelia later that evening. But again, my luck has to prove intolerable. Everyone stayed on the Crusade except Van and I. The two of us went to retrieve the Pendent. As we were walking through the halls of Van's magnificent castle, I found myself feeling like I could drop everything and stay on Gaia! No, Julie. You don't have a chance with Van. Staying would be dumb.
"What are you thinking about?" Van asked me, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"Oh nothing," I sighed.
"You know... you are the only one that wants to go back..."
"What are you saying?" I asked, shocked.
"Maybe you should re-think what you are doing."said Van.
"And just what am I doing, Van? Ruining your little love affair with my friend?! I can't help but be resentful. But I don't really have a thing for you anymore, so eat your heart out. I want to go home." I stopped and took a deep breath. We had stopped walking. "And I'm not the only one. Joanna and John and Shaun, they all want to come back with me. All of the TV stars want nothing more than to go back. Look. I am obligated to make sure they make it home."
"Since when is that YOUR obligation!? They are all old enough to make their own decisions!" He snapped.
"VAN!!...." I yelled. I didn't have an answer. I stared at him. Van Fanel. King of Fanelia. I will leave and never see him again. Just like I left all of the Dragon Slayers and will never see them again. After a long pause, I said, "Alright Van. I'll let them choose. I'll let all of them choose. Let's get the Pendent and then return to the crusade. Then they will all make their choices. Watch and see how hectic it will be when someone isn't making their choices for them."
"Okay."
So we got the Pendant and returned to the ship. This was all unexpected and wasn't going according to plan. (And I worked so hard on it too!)
"Alright!" I called out to everyone, sounding annoyed with the whole affair, but I couldn't help it. "If you are from Gaia, go over there, so I have just the people from Earth with me." I indicated a wall on one edge of the crowded room. "Now... those of you who want to go home, come stand behind me. If you want to stay on Gaia, by all means, join them." I indicated the Gaia group.
Joanna came to my side right away. Everyone else hesitated, to see who would make what move. Just as I had suspected, the Movie Stars all came over to stand with me, followed by John not long after. Rebecca, after seeing that her vampires had returned, came and joined my group. Lacey, Amanda, SuperShaun, Justin, were left. SuperShaun and Amanda will be next, I thought. but they remained where they were. The four of them remained there. They didn't go over to the Gaia group or to mine. They were completely indecisive.
"Guys, you know what's right. Come on. Let's go home."
They hesitated, but then finally agreed to it.
"Okay!" said Lacey, as they all moved over with us. "Let's go home!
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that."
We all turned to see Van, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Dangling from his other hand was the Pendant.
"But... Van," said Lacey. Too late.
Van had whipped the Pendant out of the flying Crusade.
Our chance was gone... forever.