MysticalDreamer: I got great response from all the reviews for the last
chapter! Thank you all!
Van: Why is everyone saying I'm an ass?
MysticalDreamer: Cause you're going to use Hitomi... you ass!
Van: Hey... I'm not writing the story here!
MysticalDreamer: True... true... but you see, if you don't use Hitomi... then there would be no reason for Hitomi to go back to Zaibach. I mean come on! Hitomi and Dilandau aren't in love yet! Plus I think everyone would want to see you're ass get kicked by Hitomi anyways! Hehe!
Van: Great... so for this fanfiction, I'm a total ass.
MysticalDreamer: Cheer up! Maybe I'll have you apologize or something in the end... then you won't look like a total loser. I believe this is my longest chapter yet and you're in for a big treat! Yeah!
Disclaimer: I don't ownnnnnnnnnnn... so don't sueeeeeeeeee!!!
She wouldn't let anyone use her... not like a tool... and especially not the way they pleased. Hitomi wasn't stupid and she wouldn't fall into Van's trap of love. Secretly smiling to herself, Hitomi thought of a little trap of her own.
'I'll play along with you Van... but just when you think you've got control, you've got another thing coming.'
Chapter 13: Plan in Action
Night came and gone and soon the palace was up and about, getting on to their daily tasks. Hitomi slept peacefully that night and woke up a little after the sun. When she opened her eyes and once again surveyed her surroundings, she realized she was back in Austuria and all the nights events came back to her.
She remembered every word of what Allen and Van had said. Her anger started to grow once again and she decided that she would take a run to cool herself off. She couldn't run from her problems, but at least she could keep her mind off them for the morning.
She didn't have her tennis shoes with her any more because they were left on the Vione. Then a sudden thought came to mind, but as soon as the thought came to her mind, she spotted exactly what she was thinking of at the end of her bed.
"I knew I left my track bag here!" she said excitedly.
She ran over to it and wondered why she didn't notice it before. She lifted it up and placed it on her bed. Finding what she was looking for, Hitomi pulled out a pair of running shorts, a white t-shirt, and her spikes. Those were the only shoes she had in there, so they would have to do.
'They're much better than wearing my black boots.' she told herself.
Quickly changing, Hitomi walked outside, the whole time being given curious stares from the people of the palace. She ignored them and walked out one of the back exits of the palace. After a little wandering, she came across an empty field.
Hitomi let the cool breeze wash over her skin as she jogged to one end of the field. After warming up a bit, she stretched and got in her ready position. An imaginary gunfire sounded in her head as she sprinted off down the field. The air felt so gentle and it soothed her resentment away. She was free from her worries.
Slowing down a bit, Hitomi turned around to see how far she had ran and was quite surprised. She didn't feel tired at all and raced back to where she had started. Just as she turned around again, she heard a faint voice in the distance calling her name. The person woke her from the focus she put in running and snapped all anger back at her like a snapped rubber band.
Remembering her plan, she plastered a fake smile on her face and turned around. She waved at Van and started to run toward him. When she arrived at where he was standing, Van just smiled at her.
"I was wondering where you were Hitomi." he said. "We've been looking for you. You know it's dangerous outside... you shouldn't be out here."
Hitomi frowned at him. "But why can't I be outside?"
"Zaibach might come and attack at any time. You have to be safe."
The way he said it made Hitomi bring up all her self-control to keep from slapping him. She gave a slight smile even though she didn't mean it.
'I have to be safe? Why don't you just say that you don't want Zaibach to take me back so you can use me instead!' she silently yelled in her mind.
Van gave her a curious stare as if questioning the expression that just flashed onto her face. He brushed it off and continued talking to Hitomi.
"Why don't we go inside and have some breakfast?"
Hitomi nodded her head and followed Van inside to the dining hall. During breakfast, Hitomi was asked a lot of questions and most of the answers, she lied about. Hitomi was relieved when she finished eating and excused herself from the room.
'I thought the questions would never stop coming.' she told herself.
If she couldn't go outside, then she might as we do something else she learned to enjoy. She searched for a little on the first floor of the palace and finally found what she was looking for.
As she entered the door, Hitomi wondered if the room she just entered was even a training room. It was extravagantly decorated and many of the training weapons were all in showcases of beautifully polished wood and glass. The weapons inside didn't look well used either. Barely a scratch on most and some looked brand new.
Hitomi searched the room for her weapon and did not find it. The weapons consisted of almost just swords and spears.
"A spear is close enough." she told herself.
Picking out a medium height spear, Hitomi walked to the center of the room and got into her stance. In her head she visualized the moves she had done on the Vione, and when she opened her eyes, she started to practice them.
The spear swung to and fro, jabbing and spinning above her head. After her little warm-up, she decided to try something more extreme. She ran forward and when she gained enough momentum, she placed the bottom of the spear on the ground right in front of her, put all her strength on her arms, lifted both feet off the ground, and went flying through the air, her feet in front, as if kicking an enemy at full force. She landed on her feet and slid a little from her speed, her spear still held in her left hand behind her back. Gripping the spear with both hands, she swung fiercely to her right and stood up with the motion. She let the spear's wood pole roll around the back of her neck and grabbed it when it swung over her shoulder.
She stopped and took a breath of air. Hitomi felt very proud of herself for doing the move and felt she was improving every time she picked up a weapon. Just as she was about to charge for another move, the door swung open, and there stood Allen.
"Hitomi! We were searching everywhere for you. What are you doing in here?" Allen asked her.
"I was... uh... just..." Hitomi couldn't think of anything to say. If she told Allen that she learned to fight on the Vione, he might get suspicious or not even believe her. So she made up the quickest lie she could muster out of her mind, which was going blank at the moment.
"I was just wandering around when I saw that this door was left open. I was curious and peaked inside. It's so beautiful in here I didn't even know that it was a training room till I nearly tripped on this spear that was sitting on the floor." Hitomi smiled at him and silently hoped that he didn't push the matter any further.
He just smiled back at her and took the spear from her hands. He looked down at the spear then at her face and noticed a slight perspiration building on her forehead.
"Are you ok Hitomi? You're sweating... do you have a fever?" Allen asked.
Hitomi didn't even notice that she even broke a sweat. She again searched her mind for a possible excuse and told him that she had been running early in the day. She also said that the palace was a little stuffy and she was getting warm.
Allen shrugged and took her word for by agreeing that it was getting warm in most of the rooms. He walked over to the case she got the spear from and placed it on its hooks. He turned and walked towards the door, motioning for her to follow.
"Whoever trains in there has to be more respectful... leaving weapons on the floor like that... can't they ever clean up after themselves?" he sighed at his comment and looked back at Hitomi. "It would be silly to think you were actually training with that spear." he laughed at this and didn't notice the expression Hitomi shot at him.
"Anyways, woman should never pick up a weapon. Their minds are fragile and wouldn't be able to handle a weapon as skillfully as a man could. I bet on the battlefield, they wouldn't even be able to kill the enemy because they would be too afraid of taking away another's life." Hitomi's hands clenched together and she could feel her nails biting into her skin. The urge to prove him wrong was almost dominant but once Hitomi reminded herself of the plan, she pushed all revenge aside.
'That can wait till later when the time is right.' she reminded herself.
She once again gave Allen a very convincing smile and said "You're right Allen. Women shouldn't fight in wars. Now... why were you looking for me?"
"Hitomi... we need you to help us. We have our troops ready and now we need you to use your powers to locate the Vione for us. We are going to surprise Zaibach with an attack right on their floating fortress. If we win, we will have the advantage in this war. Please Hitomi... will you help us?" Allen pleaded.
Hitomi knew this was coming and it followed her plan perfectly. "Of course I'll help you. I want to beat Zaibach. They did kidnap me after all."
Allen's eyes lit up with her answer. In his mind, his own plan was taking course. "Thank you Hitomi. Thank you so much." Then he embraced her, hugging her close.
Hitomi lightly pushed away from him and he then informed her that the Crusade would be leaving that day. She was to find the Vione after take off on the Crusade. Allen ran off, telling her to be ready in her room by noon.
Hitomi smiled to herself and quietly walked towards her room. She had about an hour to get ready, so she quickly washed herself off and changed into the clothes she had worn on the Vione, which were also freshly washed. She packed all her other stuff back into her track bag and set it on her bed.
For the remaining time she looked out upon the landscape below her from her balcony. From the ports by the ocean, she could see the Crusade getting ready for take off and a few other levi-ships near it, which were loading soldiers for the attack.
There weren't many soldiers by the looks of it, but then she reminded herself that it was a floating fortress and getting a lot of people on it would be hard enough. Just then there was a knock at her door. The person peaked their head inside and when Hitomi turned around, the person walked into the room.
"We're ready to go Hitomi. Just follow me." Van said to her.
Hitomi grabbed her bag and walked behind Van. Once they were out the front gates, they heard a few people call after them. Millerna, Chid, and Merle came running from behind calling their names.
"Van-sama! Please don't go!" Merle screamed as she jumped onto Van, making him crash to the ground.
"Don't worry Merle. I'll come back... I promise I'll come back alive." Van reassured her.
Merle looked at him worriedly and finally nodded her head, giving him one last big hug, then finally got off him. Merle ran over to Hitomi also and hugged her around the waist.
"Please come back alive Hitomi!" Merle whimpered into Hitomi's green shirt.
Not wanting to promise anything, Hitomi returned her hug and took a step back. Everyone said their good-byes, and finally Van and Hitomi walked off towards the Crusade, giving one final wave goodbye to the others.
A little while later, the levi-ships were off the ground, slowly starting to fly away from Austuria. The ships leisurely cruised up in the clouds because at the time they had nowhere to go. Everyone was waiting for Hitomi... the one girl who would point them in the right direction.
In a medium sized room aboard the Crusade, the young seer sat at a hard wood table, a map of all of Gaea spread out before her. Van had just given her back her pendant, which at the time hung around his neck.
'I almost forgot it fell off when I was transported to the battlefield... that was about a week ago.....' she remembered.
She held her pendant in her right hand with her eyes closed. It swung in small circles above the map while she paced her hand across it. Hitomi searched out with her mind to try and find the massive floating fortress. She imagined the people that she had come to know there... Masumi, Folken, Dilandau, and Jajuka. How Van and Allen had filled her head with crazy ideas of how Zaibach was the evil of the world and that they had to be destroyed.
The feelings of fatigue started to come upon her as she used all the energy she had to focus upon searching out the Vione. While still moving her hand that held the pendant across the map, Hitomi's hand started to shake. A chill ran down her spine as she started to sense something.
Faces started to flash through her mind and soon enough her pendant stopped its circling above a location on the map. A bright flash of light made her open her eyes, now seeing that she picked up their location. Whichever way she moved the chain attached to the pendant, the tip of it stayed glued to the same spot. She smiled triumphantly, but in all her triumph, she felt exhausted.
Soon enough Van came to the room and peaked his head inside to check on her progress. Hitomi turned her head to the sound of the door and gave him a successful nod. His eyes lit up and he ran over to the map she sat in front of. After staring at where Hitomi's pendant was currently locked over, Van ran out the door without another word.
Hitomi watched him go and knew he went to tell Allen the place she located, so they could start flying in that direction. Knowing that walking to her room on her own was close to impossible, Hitomi sat at her chair and waited for Van to come back.
Soon enough he showed up at the door again and told her they were on their way. Hitomi tried to stand up but her legs shook uncontrollably. She used her arms to push against the table to try and help her legs stand, but all her energy was drained. Before she fell back into her chair, Van rushed to her side and helped her up. Hitomi put her arm across his shoulders and used him for support, refusing to be carried.
Their journey was slow but steady. Soon enough, Hitomi was in one of the cabins with a bed. She laid down and fell into a deep sleep almost instantly.
In Hitomi's sleep, she did dream. It wasn't a vision or any premonition of the future. She floated in mid-air and stared at nothing in front of her. Well... she thought she was looking at nothing when suddenly the Vione came into view. She stared at it in curiosity and wondered why she was dreaming about it. Everything then turned black and a certain figure came into view.
"Dilandau..." she said aloud.
She knew what she had to do. If she wanted to come back to the Vione, she had to tell someone about the attack that was planned to happen the next day. If she tried, she might be able to talk to Dilandau through his dreams.
Hitomi concentrated on Dilandau and called out to him. His figure that was so distant before walked right in front of her now dream self.
"Hitomi?" He looked at her suspiciously. Was it really her? "Where am I?"
"We are both in a dream but we are connected by my power. I don't have much strength left so I have to tell you something. Right now, my body is on the Crusade heading in your direction. A bunch of soldiers, Allen, and Van plan to attack you tomorrow." Hitomi explained to him.
"But how do they even know where to find the Vione? We have an invincibility shield. No one can see us."
"I have the power to see things with my mind Dilandau. I found you with my power."
He interrupted her "So you gave away our position?! I knew you were a spy..."
"Dilandau shut up for a second! I am not a spy! Why would I be warning you of a surprise attack if I were on Van's side?" Hitomi defended herself.
Now Dilandau was silent. He spoke without thinking. She was right. But he didn't know why she would give away their position and then warn him about it.
"So what's your reason for telling me this then?" Dilandau asked her.
Hitomi thought for a few seconds and responded, "I want to come back to the Vione and fight this war on Zaibach's side. I... I'm... loosing my strength... I can't talk any longer. Please tell Folken!"
Hitomi's link between her and Dilandau was then cut off. Back on the Vione, Dilandau slowly woke up. 'Was it a dream?' he thought. It seemed so real that she was talking to him. He knew Hitomi had strong powers and didn't waste any time in seeking Folken out to tell him of what Hitomi told him.
~Hitomi~
Back on the Crusade, Hitomi slept soundly until her body was fully recovered and she had all her energy back. When she squinted her eyes open, she noticed the sun was high in the sky and beams of light were stretching across the floor.
The sun's position in the sky told her it was past noon. Whipping the blanket off her body, she swung her feet over the edge of the bunk and slipped her black boots on her feet. She took the first few steps toward the door unsteadily, but quickly regained her balance as she started to feel her body wake up.
She walked down the narrow corridors of the Crusade in search of something to do. She decided to go to the bridge where she guessed everyone would be. Sure enough, Allen, Van, Gaddes, and much of the other crew were there. She walked over to Van who was standing by one of the many windows looking out into the world around them.
"How much longer till we get there?" she questioned aloud.
"We will get there around midday. I'm going to fly ahead on Escaflowne sooner though to make sure the way is clear." Van informed Hitomi.
"Van... do you think I could come along? With you I mean... I want to help you out. I could tell you if there is anyone coming at you. I know the guymelefs won't be invisible because they are in flight mode... but I want to help out more... please... will you let me come?" She looked at Van with such a pleading look that he had to say yes.
He also admitted to himself that she would be a big help when it came to fighting the guymelefs. If she could possibly see where each one would attack from next, then he could surely do his job in the attack successfully.
Van said, "Sure Hitomi. You can ride with me on Escaflowne. But I'm going to have to bring you back aboard the Crusade before I land in the Vione. I don't want you to get in the middle of the fight that will take place there."
Hitomi nodded her head and headed out the door.
~The Vione~
Everyone was preparing for the upcoming fight but many had their doubts that anything was even coming. When Dilandau had told Folken about what Hitomi had said and done, he didn't have any doubts that she was lying or Dilandau was just dreaming. He had the whole Vione preparing for battle and all the Dragonslayers guymelefs were being prepared. Zaibach would not go down so easily... and for this, they had Hitomi to thank.
~The Crusade~
The hours passed and soon enough the coordinates of the Vione's position slowly started to come closer. Van searched out Hitomi, and when he found her, they both headed to where Escaflowne was waiting. Van got into the cockpit and he helped Hitomi up to Escaflowne's shoulder.
Van walked to the large door in the docking area. Once it opened, he yelled for Hitomi to hang on tight. He took one step out the door, and when Escaflowne cleared the doorway, Van swiftly transformed it to its dragon mode. He grabbed Hitomi's hand and pulled her up so she was behind him. Grabbing on to the back of Van's shirt, Hitomi silently prayed that Dilandau had gotten the message, and told Folken, who would hopefully prepare for the attack.
Van flew around the Crusade and started to head straight in the direction the levi-ships were going. Escaflowne picked up speed and soon they were far ahead of the Crusade. Suddenly Hitomi felt her mind become frighteningly alert. She looked over Van's shoulder to see nothing... but out of nowhere, the Vione appeared before them. It had shut down its cloaking device.
Hitomi could feel Van's surprise. He was clueless as to why the floating fortress had suddenly shut down all invincibility. Both snapped out of their trances when they saw some objects coming at them. Van instantly knew what they were... guymelefs... to be more specific... the Dragonslayers.
They flew at each other with incredible speed and soon the Dragonslayers' guymelefs were attacking Escaflowne. Hitomi held onto Van tightly or else she would fly right off. Now was the time for her to think of how she was possibly going to get back to the Vione. This was the part of her plan that she couldn't think of. But Hitomi knew it would all come in time if she just waited.
She watched the battle in her mind, and saw all of the blows that came from both sides. Van seemed to be winning but only barely. Then in her mind's eye, the red guymelef showed itself from the Vione. Changing into flight mode, Dilandau piloted his guymelef right towards Van and Hitomi. Van hadn't noticed the new armor coming towards them and was still fending off the others.
Without warning, a vision flashed before Hitomi's eyes. That was the signal she was waiting for. As soon as the first part of the vision showed in real life, Hitomi took action. Van had maneuvered around one of the Dragonslayers and was going to strike him from behind. In Hitomi's vision, the Dragonslayer wouldn't have time to react and would be killed by Van's hand.
She wasn't about to let that happen so Hitomi let go of Van's shirt for a split second and threw her arms around him, grabbing his forearms in the process. Hitomi pulled back with all her weight, making Van and his hands that were holding the two handles to control Escaflowne, get pulled backwards. Escaflowne rapidly changed it's direction and started to go straight up into the sky.
Hitomi saw her chance and let go of Van altogether. She immediately fell backwards into the open air and away from Escaflowne. Van looked back at her with an unreadable expression but she could tell it showed the signs of betrayal. The air whipped around Hitomi very violently as she helplessly plummeted to the ground far beneath her.
Her eyes were closed as she hoped her efforts were not in vain. But something happened that made her eyes snap open. A very familiar object wrapped around Hitomi's torso, but this time it wasn't as frightening. The ruthless current of air that she had been falling through just a moment ago seemingly stopped its speed, and now Hitomi found herself falling no more.
Looking around her waist, Hitomi was surprised to see the liquid metal, which had been wrapped around her once before, there once again. The stream of metal that had reached out and caught her shortened and brought her closer to the guymelef. Hitomi's vision had become blurry during her fall but was now clearing up. Right in front of her, the red guymelef hovered in front of her, holding her body close to the armor.
"Hitomi!" Dilandau yelled through the visor, "So it wasn't a dream after all."
Dilandau sighed... he had so many questions to ask her but they had to wait. First he had to fight... questions and answers could come later.
While the other Dragonslayers were fighting off a now recovered Van, Dilandau took the chance to fly back to the Vione and get Hitomi inside. He landed his guymelef in the open door, glanced at Hitomi again, and set her down on the metal floor. He turned around and flew out and back into battle. All the while Hitomi stood there and prayed for his and the Dragonslayers safe return.
Van: Why is everyone saying I'm an ass?
MysticalDreamer: Cause you're going to use Hitomi... you ass!
Van: Hey... I'm not writing the story here!
MysticalDreamer: True... true... but you see, if you don't use Hitomi... then there would be no reason for Hitomi to go back to Zaibach. I mean come on! Hitomi and Dilandau aren't in love yet! Plus I think everyone would want to see you're ass get kicked by Hitomi anyways! Hehe!
Van: Great... so for this fanfiction, I'm a total ass.
MysticalDreamer: Cheer up! Maybe I'll have you apologize or something in the end... then you won't look like a total loser. I believe this is my longest chapter yet and you're in for a big treat! Yeah!
Disclaimer: I don't ownnnnnnnnnnn... so don't sueeeeeeeeee!!!
She wouldn't let anyone use her... not like a tool... and especially not the way they pleased. Hitomi wasn't stupid and she wouldn't fall into Van's trap of love. Secretly smiling to herself, Hitomi thought of a little trap of her own.
'I'll play along with you Van... but just when you think you've got control, you've got another thing coming.'
Chapter 13: Plan in Action
Night came and gone and soon the palace was up and about, getting on to their daily tasks. Hitomi slept peacefully that night and woke up a little after the sun. When she opened her eyes and once again surveyed her surroundings, she realized she was back in Austuria and all the nights events came back to her.
She remembered every word of what Allen and Van had said. Her anger started to grow once again and she decided that she would take a run to cool herself off. She couldn't run from her problems, but at least she could keep her mind off them for the morning.
She didn't have her tennis shoes with her any more because they were left on the Vione. Then a sudden thought came to mind, but as soon as the thought came to her mind, she spotted exactly what she was thinking of at the end of her bed.
"I knew I left my track bag here!" she said excitedly.
She ran over to it and wondered why she didn't notice it before. She lifted it up and placed it on her bed. Finding what she was looking for, Hitomi pulled out a pair of running shorts, a white t-shirt, and her spikes. Those were the only shoes she had in there, so they would have to do.
'They're much better than wearing my black boots.' she told herself.
Quickly changing, Hitomi walked outside, the whole time being given curious stares from the people of the palace. She ignored them and walked out one of the back exits of the palace. After a little wandering, she came across an empty field.
Hitomi let the cool breeze wash over her skin as she jogged to one end of the field. After warming up a bit, she stretched and got in her ready position. An imaginary gunfire sounded in her head as she sprinted off down the field. The air felt so gentle and it soothed her resentment away. She was free from her worries.
Slowing down a bit, Hitomi turned around to see how far she had ran and was quite surprised. She didn't feel tired at all and raced back to where she had started. Just as she turned around again, she heard a faint voice in the distance calling her name. The person woke her from the focus she put in running and snapped all anger back at her like a snapped rubber band.
Remembering her plan, she plastered a fake smile on her face and turned around. She waved at Van and started to run toward him. When she arrived at where he was standing, Van just smiled at her.
"I was wondering where you were Hitomi." he said. "We've been looking for you. You know it's dangerous outside... you shouldn't be out here."
Hitomi frowned at him. "But why can't I be outside?"
"Zaibach might come and attack at any time. You have to be safe."
The way he said it made Hitomi bring up all her self-control to keep from slapping him. She gave a slight smile even though she didn't mean it.
'I have to be safe? Why don't you just say that you don't want Zaibach to take me back so you can use me instead!' she silently yelled in her mind.
Van gave her a curious stare as if questioning the expression that just flashed onto her face. He brushed it off and continued talking to Hitomi.
"Why don't we go inside and have some breakfast?"
Hitomi nodded her head and followed Van inside to the dining hall. During breakfast, Hitomi was asked a lot of questions and most of the answers, she lied about. Hitomi was relieved when she finished eating and excused herself from the room.
'I thought the questions would never stop coming.' she told herself.
If she couldn't go outside, then she might as we do something else she learned to enjoy. She searched for a little on the first floor of the palace and finally found what she was looking for.
As she entered the door, Hitomi wondered if the room she just entered was even a training room. It was extravagantly decorated and many of the training weapons were all in showcases of beautifully polished wood and glass. The weapons inside didn't look well used either. Barely a scratch on most and some looked brand new.
Hitomi searched the room for her weapon and did not find it. The weapons consisted of almost just swords and spears.
"A spear is close enough." she told herself.
Picking out a medium height spear, Hitomi walked to the center of the room and got into her stance. In her head she visualized the moves she had done on the Vione, and when she opened her eyes, she started to practice them.
The spear swung to and fro, jabbing and spinning above her head. After her little warm-up, she decided to try something more extreme. She ran forward and when she gained enough momentum, she placed the bottom of the spear on the ground right in front of her, put all her strength on her arms, lifted both feet off the ground, and went flying through the air, her feet in front, as if kicking an enemy at full force. She landed on her feet and slid a little from her speed, her spear still held in her left hand behind her back. Gripping the spear with both hands, she swung fiercely to her right and stood up with the motion. She let the spear's wood pole roll around the back of her neck and grabbed it when it swung over her shoulder.
She stopped and took a breath of air. Hitomi felt very proud of herself for doing the move and felt she was improving every time she picked up a weapon. Just as she was about to charge for another move, the door swung open, and there stood Allen.
"Hitomi! We were searching everywhere for you. What are you doing in here?" Allen asked her.
"I was... uh... just..." Hitomi couldn't think of anything to say. If she told Allen that she learned to fight on the Vione, he might get suspicious or not even believe her. So she made up the quickest lie she could muster out of her mind, which was going blank at the moment.
"I was just wandering around when I saw that this door was left open. I was curious and peaked inside. It's so beautiful in here I didn't even know that it was a training room till I nearly tripped on this spear that was sitting on the floor." Hitomi smiled at him and silently hoped that he didn't push the matter any further.
He just smiled back at her and took the spear from her hands. He looked down at the spear then at her face and noticed a slight perspiration building on her forehead.
"Are you ok Hitomi? You're sweating... do you have a fever?" Allen asked.
Hitomi didn't even notice that she even broke a sweat. She again searched her mind for a possible excuse and told him that she had been running early in the day. She also said that the palace was a little stuffy and she was getting warm.
Allen shrugged and took her word for by agreeing that it was getting warm in most of the rooms. He walked over to the case she got the spear from and placed it on its hooks. He turned and walked towards the door, motioning for her to follow.
"Whoever trains in there has to be more respectful... leaving weapons on the floor like that... can't they ever clean up after themselves?" he sighed at his comment and looked back at Hitomi. "It would be silly to think you were actually training with that spear." he laughed at this and didn't notice the expression Hitomi shot at him.
"Anyways, woman should never pick up a weapon. Their minds are fragile and wouldn't be able to handle a weapon as skillfully as a man could. I bet on the battlefield, they wouldn't even be able to kill the enemy because they would be too afraid of taking away another's life." Hitomi's hands clenched together and she could feel her nails biting into her skin. The urge to prove him wrong was almost dominant but once Hitomi reminded herself of the plan, she pushed all revenge aside.
'That can wait till later when the time is right.' she reminded herself.
She once again gave Allen a very convincing smile and said "You're right Allen. Women shouldn't fight in wars. Now... why were you looking for me?"
"Hitomi... we need you to help us. We have our troops ready and now we need you to use your powers to locate the Vione for us. We are going to surprise Zaibach with an attack right on their floating fortress. If we win, we will have the advantage in this war. Please Hitomi... will you help us?" Allen pleaded.
Hitomi knew this was coming and it followed her plan perfectly. "Of course I'll help you. I want to beat Zaibach. They did kidnap me after all."
Allen's eyes lit up with her answer. In his mind, his own plan was taking course. "Thank you Hitomi. Thank you so much." Then he embraced her, hugging her close.
Hitomi lightly pushed away from him and he then informed her that the Crusade would be leaving that day. She was to find the Vione after take off on the Crusade. Allen ran off, telling her to be ready in her room by noon.
Hitomi smiled to herself and quietly walked towards her room. She had about an hour to get ready, so she quickly washed herself off and changed into the clothes she had worn on the Vione, which were also freshly washed. She packed all her other stuff back into her track bag and set it on her bed.
For the remaining time she looked out upon the landscape below her from her balcony. From the ports by the ocean, she could see the Crusade getting ready for take off and a few other levi-ships near it, which were loading soldiers for the attack.
There weren't many soldiers by the looks of it, but then she reminded herself that it was a floating fortress and getting a lot of people on it would be hard enough. Just then there was a knock at her door. The person peaked their head inside and when Hitomi turned around, the person walked into the room.
"We're ready to go Hitomi. Just follow me." Van said to her.
Hitomi grabbed her bag and walked behind Van. Once they were out the front gates, they heard a few people call after them. Millerna, Chid, and Merle came running from behind calling their names.
"Van-sama! Please don't go!" Merle screamed as she jumped onto Van, making him crash to the ground.
"Don't worry Merle. I'll come back... I promise I'll come back alive." Van reassured her.
Merle looked at him worriedly and finally nodded her head, giving him one last big hug, then finally got off him. Merle ran over to Hitomi also and hugged her around the waist.
"Please come back alive Hitomi!" Merle whimpered into Hitomi's green shirt.
Not wanting to promise anything, Hitomi returned her hug and took a step back. Everyone said their good-byes, and finally Van and Hitomi walked off towards the Crusade, giving one final wave goodbye to the others.
A little while later, the levi-ships were off the ground, slowly starting to fly away from Austuria. The ships leisurely cruised up in the clouds because at the time they had nowhere to go. Everyone was waiting for Hitomi... the one girl who would point them in the right direction.
In a medium sized room aboard the Crusade, the young seer sat at a hard wood table, a map of all of Gaea spread out before her. Van had just given her back her pendant, which at the time hung around his neck.
'I almost forgot it fell off when I was transported to the battlefield... that was about a week ago.....' she remembered.
She held her pendant in her right hand with her eyes closed. It swung in small circles above the map while she paced her hand across it. Hitomi searched out with her mind to try and find the massive floating fortress. She imagined the people that she had come to know there... Masumi, Folken, Dilandau, and Jajuka. How Van and Allen had filled her head with crazy ideas of how Zaibach was the evil of the world and that they had to be destroyed.
The feelings of fatigue started to come upon her as she used all the energy she had to focus upon searching out the Vione. While still moving her hand that held the pendant across the map, Hitomi's hand started to shake. A chill ran down her spine as she started to sense something.
Faces started to flash through her mind and soon enough her pendant stopped its circling above a location on the map. A bright flash of light made her open her eyes, now seeing that she picked up their location. Whichever way she moved the chain attached to the pendant, the tip of it stayed glued to the same spot. She smiled triumphantly, but in all her triumph, she felt exhausted.
Soon enough Van came to the room and peaked his head inside to check on her progress. Hitomi turned her head to the sound of the door and gave him a successful nod. His eyes lit up and he ran over to the map she sat in front of. After staring at where Hitomi's pendant was currently locked over, Van ran out the door without another word.
Hitomi watched him go and knew he went to tell Allen the place she located, so they could start flying in that direction. Knowing that walking to her room on her own was close to impossible, Hitomi sat at her chair and waited for Van to come back.
Soon enough he showed up at the door again and told her they were on their way. Hitomi tried to stand up but her legs shook uncontrollably. She used her arms to push against the table to try and help her legs stand, but all her energy was drained. Before she fell back into her chair, Van rushed to her side and helped her up. Hitomi put her arm across his shoulders and used him for support, refusing to be carried.
Their journey was slow but steady. Soon enough, Hitomi was in one of the cabins with a bed. She laid down and fell into a deep sleep almost instantly.
In Hitomi's sleep, she did dream. It wasn't a vision or any premonition of the future. She floated in mid-air and stared at nothing in front of her. Well... she thought she was looking at nothing when suddenly the Vione came into view. She stared at it in curiosity and wondered why she was dreaming about it. Everything then turned black and a certain figure came into view.
"Dilandau..." she said aloud.
She knew what she had to do. If she wanted to come back to the Vione, she had to tell someone about the attack that was planned to happen the next day. If she tried, she might be able to talk to Dilandau through his dreams.
Hitomi concentrated on Dilandau and called out to him. His figure that was so distant before walked right in front of her now dream self.
"Hitomi?" He looked at her suspiciously. Was it really her? "Where am I?"
"We are both in a dream but we are connected by my power. I don't have much strength left so I have to tell you something. Right now, my body is on the Crusade heading in your direction. A bunch of soldiers, Allen, and Van plan to attack you tomorrow." Hitomi explained to him.
"But how do they even know where to find the Vione? We have an invincibility shield. No one can see us."
"I have the power to see things with my mind Dilandau. I found you with my power."
He interrupted her "So you gave away our position?! I knew you were a spy..."
"Dilandau shut up for a second! I am not a spy! Why would I be warning you of a surprise attack if I were on Van's side?" Hitomi defended herself.
Now Dilandau was silent. He spoke without thinking. She was right. But he didn't know why she would give away their position and then warn him about it.
"So what's your reason for telling me this then?" Dilandau asked her.
Hitomi thought for a few seconds and responded, "I want to come back to the Vione and fight this war on Zaibach's side. I... I'm... loosing my strength... I can't talk any longer. Please tell Folken!"
Hitomi's link between her and Dilandau was then cut off. Back on the Vione, Dilandau slowly woke up. 'Was it a dream?' he thought. It seemed so real that she was talking to him. He knew Hitomi had strong powers and didn't waste any time in seeking Folken out to tell him of what Hitomi told him.
~Hitomi~
Back on the Crusade, Hitomi slept soundly until her body was fully recovered and she had all her energy back. When she squinted her eyes open, she noticed the sun was high in the sky and beams of light were stretching across the floor.
The sun's position in the sky told her it was past noon. Whipping the blanket off her body, she swung her feet over the edge of the bunk and slipped her black boots on her feet. She took the first few steps toward the door unsteadily, but quickly regained her balance as she started to feel her body wake up.
She walked down the narrow corridors of the Crusade in search of something to do. She decided to go to the bridge where she guessed everyone would be. Sure enough, Allen, Van, Gaddes, and much of the other crew were there. She walked over to Van who was standing by one of the many windows looking out into the world around them.
"How much longer till we get there?" she questioned aloud.
"We will get there around midday. I'm going to fly ahead on Escaflowne sooner though to make sure the way is clear." Van informed Hitomi.
"Van... do you think I could come along? With you I mean... I want to help you out. I could tell you if there is anyone coming at you. I know the guymelefs won't be invisible because they are in flight mode... but I want to help out more... please... will you let me come?" She looked at Van with such a pleading look that he had to say yes.
He also admitted to himself that she would be a big help when it came to fighting the guymelefs. If she could possibly see where each one would attack from next, then he could surely do his job in the attack successfully.
Van said, "Sure Hitomi. You can ride with me on Escaflowne. But I'm going to have to bring you back aboard the Crusade before I land in the Vione. I don't want you to get in the middle of the fight that will take place there."
Hitomi nodded her head and headed out the door.
~The Vione~
Everyone was preparing for the upcoming fight but many had their doubts that anything was even coming. When Dilandau had told Folken about what Hitomi had said and done, he didn't have any doubts that she was lying or Dilandau was just dreaming. He had the whole Vione preparing for battle and all the Dragonslayers guymelefs were being prepared. Zaibach would not go down so easily... and for this, they had Hitomi to thank.
~The Crusade~
The hours passed and soon enough the coordinates of the Vione's position slowly started to come closer. Van searched out Hitomi, and when he found her, they both headed to where Escaflowne was waiting. Van got into the cockpit and he helped Hitomi up to Escaflowne's shoulder.
Van walked to the large door in the docking area. Once it opened, he yelled for Hitomi to hang on tight. He took one step out the door, and when Escaflowne cleared the doorway, Van swiftly transformed it to its dragon mode. He grabbed Hitomi's hand and pulled her up so she was behind him. Grabbing on to the back of Van's shirt, Hitomi silently prayed that Dilandau had gotten the message, and told Folken, who would hopefully prepare for the attack.
Van flew around the Crusade and started to head straight in the direction the levi-ships were going. Escaflowne picked up speed and soon they were far ahead of the Crusade. Suddenly Hitomi felt her mind become frighteningly alert. She looked over Van's shoulder to see nothing... but out of nowhere, the Vione appeared before them. It had shut down its cloaking device.
Hitomi could feel Van's surprise. He was clueless as to why the floating fortress had suddenly shut down all invincibility. Both snapped out of their trances when they saw some objects coming at them. Van instantly knew what they were... guymelefs... to be more specific... the Dragonslayers.
They flew at each other with incredible speed and soon the Dragonslayers' guymelefs were attacking Escaflowne. Hitomi held onto Van tightly or else she would fly right off. Now was the time for her to think of how she was possibly going to get back to the Vione. This was the part of her plan that she couldn't think of. But Hitomi knew it would all come in time if she just waited.
She watched the battle in her mind, and saw all of the blows that came from both sides. Van seemed to be winning but only barely. Then in her mind's eye, the red guymelef showed itself from the Vione. Changing into flight mode, Dilandau piloted his guymelef right towards Van and Hitomi. Van hadn't noticed the new armor coming towards them and was still fending off the others.
Without warning, a vision flashed before Hitomi's eyes. That was the signal she was waiting for. As soon as the first part of the vision showed in real life, Hitomi took action. Van had maneuvered around one of the Dragonslayers and was going to strike him from behind. In Hitomi's vision, the Dragonslayer wouldn't have time to react and would be killed by Van's hand.
She wasn't about to let that happen so Hitomi let go of Van's shirt for a split second and threw her arms around him, grabbing his forearms in the process. Hitomi pulled back with all her weight, making Van and his hands that were holding the two handles to control Escaflowne, get pulled backwards. Escaflowne rapidly changed it's direction and started to go straight up into the sky.
Hitomi saw her chance and let go of Van altogether. She immediately fell backwards into the open air and away from Escaflowne. Van looked back at her with an unreadable expression but she could tell it showed the signs of betrayal. The air whipped around Hitomi very violently as she helplessly plummeted to the ground far beneath her.
Her eyes were closed as she hoped her efforts were not in vain. But something happened that made her eyes snap open. A very familiar object wrapped around Hitomi's torso, but this time it wasn't as frightening. The ruthless current of air that she had been falling through just a moment ago seemingly stopped its speed, and now Hitomi found herself falling no more.
Looking around her waist, Hitomi was surprised to see the liquid metal, which had been wrapped around her once before, there once again. The stream of metal that had reached out and caught her shortened and brought her closer to the guymelef. Hitomi's vision had become blurry during her fall but was now clearing up. Right in front of her, the red guymelef hovered in front of her, holding her body close to the armor.
"Hitomi!" Dilandau yelled through the visor, "So it wasn't a dream after all."
Dilandau sighed... he had so many questions to ask her but they had to wait. First he had to fight... questions and answers could come later.
While the other Dragonslayers were fighting off a now recovered Van, Dilandau took the chance to fly back to the Vione and get Hitomi inside. He landed his guymelef in the open door, glanced at Hitomi again, and set her down on the metal floor. He turned around and flew out and back into battle. All the while Hitomi stood there and prayed for his and the Dragonslayers safe return.
