Author's Ramblings: Another chapter, this one on time. - I hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: Me no own.
Chapter Ten: Red Light Carries the Red Rain
-Still in the Cockpit of the Crusade-
"Furl the sails! Prep the levistones for descent!"
"Aye!"
"Wait—they've stopped moving! Whaddya want us to do, Boss?"
"Stay put, then. And keep Van from fighting at all costs. I'll go out in Schezerade!"
"You got it! Keep sharp, scumbags!"
The cockpit of the Crusade was full of voices shouting over one another. Allen, Gaddes, and the rest of the crew feared the worst as the Curansian leviship halted. What are they planning? Thought Allen as he ran to the cargo bay. I have to keep my promise to Van…I must protect Hitomi!
-On the Main Deck of the Crusade-
"What is it?" asked a panicked Chid (who HAD noticed something different about Hitomi, but couldn't quite place what it was…) as Van, Hitomi, Merle, and Aaron—who had just now joined the trio—came running onto the main deck. Nadya looked on with worry.
"Hitomi had a vision about the Curansians! They're going to poison us with red rainy stuff!" Merle wasted no time in answering.
Chid could only gasp. "What are we going to do?" asked Nadya timidly.
Hitomi looked to Van. She was about to say something, when suddenly Millerna and Dryden rushed into the scene. If Millerna stays, her baby might be hurt! This Red Rain is deadly! I have to do something…she thought. "Van…you…you have to get everyone out of here! The Red Rain is deadly!"
"NO!" Van shouted. "I won't leave you here alone. You could be killed, like in your vision! I…." Suddenly his eyes dimmed in understanding. If he stayed, he would be tempted to fight. And fighting, even with Folken's Energist, would still hurt Hitomi somewhat.
"Please, Van," she pleaded, looking into his brownish red eyes. "You have to fly everyone away with Escaflowne. Especially Millerna."
Dryden gave a thankful look. His eyes, though partially hidden by his round sunglasses, were a bit misty. Millerna clutched her abdomen in appreciation, knowing that Hitomi was sacrificing her own wellbeing for the moment. Chid and Nadya could only look on with awe.
"It just might work if you get everyone out of here," supported Aaron. "Don't worry, no harm will come to Lady Hitomi. I will stay here and fight!"
"AARON!" whined Merle. Then, realizing the seriousness of the situation, she calmed down. "Okay, but be careful."
Van looked to Hitomi with a please be alright…I really don't want to do this…look.
"Go, Van," she commanded softly.
And he obeyed, taking all but Aaron with him to Escaflowne to flee to safety. He clutched Hitomi's pendant tightly. I love you, Hitomi… And the Dragon was off, sailing through the air on navy blue wings.
"What is your plan, Lady Hitomi?" asked Aaron.
"I don't know," she answered as she looked down. "All I know is that the Red Rain is deadly poison. I had to get everyone out of here."
Before Aaron could comment on her wisdom and bravery, a red light touched down in the middle of the main deck. Once the intensity of the light diminished, Hitomi and Aaron were left surrounded by Calis and ten of her groupies….
-In the Cargo Bay of the Crusade-
Allen was just about to jump into Schezerade, when he heard it. That cackling, shrill laughter.
Calis.
HITOMI!!
And he ran for the main deck, hoping he wasn't too late…
-Back on the Main Deck of the Crusade-
Calis and her ten groupies surrounded Hitomi and Aaron. "Well, well, well," she sneered, "If it isn't Seer and Dog Dude themselves."
Aaron growled, and charged at her. His sword was in the air, just about to come down on the wicked princess. But she pulled out a gun-ish looking contraption, and sprayed his furry chest with something. "Red…rain…" he managed to gasp before being flung across the room and into the wall by a Groupie.
"Aaron!" cried Hitomi. She would've run to help him, but Calis and her groupies were slowly tightening their circular formation around her. She cowered in fear, knowing that this might be her last living moment. Van…I hope you and everyone else are safe… I love you, Van…
"STOP!" yelled a voice, shattering her morbid train of thought. Calis paused, and the Groupies mimicked her movements. She turned around slowly. Standing in the doorway to the main deck was Allen, his hand gripping his sword tightly.
"Now this is fun!" exclaimed Calis with a tone of morbid glee. "Allen Schezar shows up to save Seer. Let's see what you've got, Blondie!"
Hitomi watched in horror as Groupie upon Groupie flung themselves at Allen, attempting to kill him with their swords. Gallant as always, the suave Knight Caeli blocked their advances. Soon he had five of them killed and one fatally wounded after falling down some stairs. He soon sliced another, and bashed another's face in with his powerful kick. He delivered a lucky right hook to a third, all the while Calis looked on with amazement. "Looks like Blondie CAN fight!" she exclaimed. Her eyes lowered. "But we can't have any of that…now can we?"
And she sprayed him. She sprayed him with the Red Rain.
Allen gasped as the liquid hit him, a bit of it spilling into his eyes. He blocked out the pain, and focused his rapidly faltering sight on one person. Hitomi… his mind sounded. He collapsed to the floor, his legs no longer able to hold him up.
"ALLEN!" Hitomi cried with fear. Another friend has fallen… Allen, I'm so sorry for getting you into this mess…
"Hitomi," he managed to call out. "I'm…sorry…" he sputtered, as his body went completely limp. Van…I'm sorry…I couldn't…protect…her…
"ALLEN!!!" Hitomi cried out again, falling to her knees and sobbing. One of her greatest friends, one who was more like an older brother, had fallen. She hoped to any deity willing to listen that neither Allen nor Aaron were dead, and sobbed more at the thought that that might be the case.
Calis only laughed. She said with a smirk, "He was just another bug for me to swat with the Sports section of the Curansian Times."
Hitomi only sobbed more. What have I done? Aaron and Allen are probably dead…all because of me!
Calis walked towards her, still cackling. "Now what should we do with you, Seer?" she asked as she picked up Hitomi by grabbing a fistful of her hair. "Certainly we can't return you to Dragon Boy. Oh no, that would be too sweet; lovers reunited after a battle. I have my own plans for you, Kanzaki Hitomi!"
Hitomi's vision blurred after she felt a prick in the side of her neck. She collapsed seconds later, and Calis's one remaining Groupie lifted her into his arms. The red light that transported them here once again shone, and Hitomi was carried away unknowingly into the Curansian leviship.
Mwa…mwahahahaha!!! XD