Me: Ah….what a nice vacation! I feel fresh! Bright!
CS: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! (Cries hysterically)
Me: OO And so weirded out at the moment…
CS: You left me all alone!!! WAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!
Me: I thought you lived for the day I left.
CS: Yeah, but…DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT!!!!!!
Me: oO Yes ma'am!
DISCLAIMER: I own myself and the authors own themselves and the idea is mine (Yay!), but the universes used are not unfortunately. Just you wait! I'll get them! And their little dog too!
CS: ……
Alarivana Ciaernu: Thanks! (adds you to 'special list') That helps!
Sister To Sister: Don't worry Jaici! Here's your update and soon it'll be your turn to shine!
Hades of hades 2: (drools) MINE!!!!! (snatches it and makes shifty eyes at everyone) No one's around…….Goody! It's all mine!! My precious…Here's you update! With extra Arnar attention because of poster! Now don't tell anyone about this, k? It's our little secret….
White Dog 2: You're in boarding school? So am I? It sux, I know…Our chappie is the next one. As for confrontations…let's wait and see….
Kitsuryuu: Even I thought it was short, but I felt that it was needed to be that way. Have you noticed that Tasara didn't exactly explain everything? That there are gaps? Read and find out!
Nanashi2: You. Did. Review. But the review stooge ate them up. (cries) My beautiful reviews!!!
Aquenze: Don't worry so much! I have a special role for you since you haven't gotten much part in the action. Read this chappie and you'll understand.
Angevar: 'Nuff said. Speak to me in person. I live next door,
Little Leila: It's the same for you and Nananshi. You DID review, but Fido ate some of my reviews. No, Raiden won't be AA unfortunately. If I ever get around a sequel, I'll add him in, k?
Lunare Valhart: I'm stuck in BLOODY HELL Water Temple. I hate the Hookshot! I hate water! And most of all, I hate those boody clams!!!! I hope you all get toasted for dinner one day!! (shakes fist and stop ranting) BTW, I think you'll like the Land of the Myths. It's something that'll definitely get your attention.
Sapphire Angels Devil: I'll add you in, though I can't guarantee you'll be in the story for too long. I'm up to my ears with authors. But I'll still give you that rule. To show I'm a nice person and I want every author to have a piece of the action.
Chapter Nine
Odysseus
"So where are we? Ideas anybody?" Leila asked, shielding her eyes from the Sun. Albeit it was sunny in this god-knows-where place, but she couldn't help feel that the Sun was a little too bright. Must have been all that time on that blasted mountain top.
"I dunno," Angevar said, standing in the shade. There were people traveling about, but none of them felt like asking anyone. They were worried if they might get attacked on sight. All these attacks and fighting has made them paranoid.
"I've….I should know this place," Nanashi said, her eyebrows crinkling, "I…."
Arnar had said nothing yet. His eyes were darting from side to side for any threat. Yup, definitely paranoid.
"I think this is—," Angevar said, her eyes widening, "Uh-oh…"
With that parting warning, a torrent of water descended on their heads and they were drenched to the bone.
"—Hanshin Republic," Angevar finished, wringing out the water from her clothes.
"Could have told us sooner," Leila said, grimacing.
"And miss the surprise attack?" Asa-chan said grinning. Water was her element, like Silver.
"I. Hate. Water," Nanashi grumbled as she too began wringing her clothes.
Arnar said nothing, but looked upwards.
"Arashi, we got them! Now let's go examine them!"
"For the last time Sorata, those kids aren't aliens!"
"Then how do you explain the weird clothes?"
"Kids always have new fads these days! I'll bet tomorrow, it'll be a fad to dress like you!"
"I don't dress bad!.........do I?"
They sweatdropped.
"That would be Sorata and Arashi," Angevar said, shaking her shoes of excess water, "Of Hanshin Republic. I remember them from the Tsubasa manga."
"Oh," Nanashi said, "But aren't they from X/1999 as well?"
"They are," Asa-chan said, "But the CLAMP writers stole an idea from the writers."
"What's that?" Arnar asked.
"AU," Angevar said, "Alternate Universe."
"So this is basically a crossover of many mangas by Clamp? And they can do it because they have the rights?" Nanashi said incredibly.
"Yup."
"Damn," The others muttered.
Two people emerged and came up to them. One who looked uncannily like the Arashi they all know, but the harshness of her eyes wasn't there. The other was a man with an easy going look that put all at ease.
This was Arashi and Sorata.
"See? Now do those kids look like aliens?" Arashi said, pointing at them.
Sorata rubbed his head sheepishly, "Well, they do look human…"
"That's because we are," Asa-chan said.
"Asa-chan!"
"What Leila?"
"You should have told them we were aliens!"
"Why?"
"Because!"
"Oh."
They sweatdropped again and turned to Arashi and Sorata.
"Ummm….we kinda need your help," Nanashi asked tentatively.
"What for?" Arashi asked, her brow furrowing.
"We need to find a leader's emblem," Nanashi said, turning to the others, "Do you guys know what it is?"
The others shrugged. Curse Tasara for lack of information.
Arashi and Sorata exchanged looks, "Maybe we should talk about this inside." Sorata said finally, leading the others to the back.
(O)
For a different dimension, everything seemed so….normal.
Creepy.
Arashi rustled up some green tea and soon most of them were either blowing steam off their cups or sipping it quietly.
Sorata seemed to be buried in thought, muttering to himself, "The leader's emblem….the leader's emblem…."
Finally, he cleared his throat and spoke to them, "I have no real idea what this leader's emblem could be, but I'm guessing it's a symbol for a leader."
They nodded.
"The Hanshin Republic is a democracy so I don't know any real historical emblems. But there is something………."
They glanced at each other.
"You could be looking for The Kudan Tapestry."
Arashi shot Sorata a look, "But that's not a leader's emblem?"
"It could be interpreted that way because Odysseus's kudan is on that tapestry and that same kudan was his symbol later on," Sorata explained.
"Oh,"
"Umm…." Nanashi put her hand up, "What's a kudan?"
Arashi and Sorata shot each other looks. This could take a while.
Sorata closed his eyes and a glowing beast (a lion? Angevar wondered, how odd) with lightning crackling out of his body appeared.
"This is Raijuu 1," Sorata said, "He's my kudan."
Raijuu hissed at them before settling at Sorata's feet.
"Does that mean," Arnar said, "That our bit-beasts are kudans?"
"Bit-beasts?" Sorata queried, "What are those?"
Angevar gave Arnar a warning look, "That's what we call our kudans from where we came from."
"Like Syaoran? You guys aren't from Clow, right?" Arashi said, staring at them intently.
Nanashi shook her head, "No."
Arashi looked disappointed, "Oh."
"So where is this tapestry?" Asa-chan asked.
"In Hanshin castle the last time I checked," Sorata said, "However, no one's allowed to go there because of the damages last time."
"Damages?" Angevar echoed.
"When Syaoran came here, he fought with a kudan and that resulted in half the building collapsing. I'm sure the tapestry is still there. But in order to get it—,"
"—We need to steal it," Leila finished, "I see."
"What should we do then? Tasara wants that tapestry." Arnar said.
"Simple; we steal it," Nanashi said, "Okay, that sounded easy."
"But it isn't," Arashi said in a tight lipped voice, "Because the guards in the Hanshin castle have level one and special level kudans. Your kudans have to be the best or you will fail."
They exchanged glances.
Angevar shrugged, "Well, we might as well try."
"Hanshin castle, here we come!" Nanashi whooped.
(O)
"It's big……" Nanashi said, her eyes wide in disbelief.
"It's a castle Nana, of course it's going to be big!" Leila said sarcastically, ignoring Nanashi when she stuck out her tongue at her. Asa-chan sniggered.
"Knock it off you three," Angevar said, "Should we walk in or find another entrance?"
"We only have five bit-beasts with us, so avoiding any sort of confrontation is a good idea," Arnar said, "In fact, I think I know a way of getting in."
(O)
The guards roamed the floor, their kudans (one panther and one cheetah) with them. Their cat-like eyes scanned the floor and their footfalls were heavy on the concrete.
"Excuse me sir," A young boy entered. Several eyes immediately trained themselves on him, "Is this the place for the clowns?"
"Clowns?" The guards scratched their heads, "I don't think so…" One guard spoke up, checking the schedule in his hands.
"Are you sure?" The boy pressed. Behind him, stepped four colourful clowns with bright pink hats and white plaster faces. The guards stepped back warily. The clowns grinned cheekily.
WHAM!
BAM!
"Arnar, get some water so we can wash our faces," Leila said glaring at the said boy who was smirking like no tomorrow, "Honestly. The things we do to save the world. Let it rot, I say."
Arnar grinned innocently, "What? It was the only thing I could think of!"
Asa-chan rolled her eyes, "Sonbre is a better liar than you are. Trust me, I know."
Leila looked at her, "How do you figure that?"
Asa-chan shrugged, "I was with Lunare, remember?"
"Oh yeah…"
Angevar cleared her throat, "Umm…you guys…maybe we should get going."
"Oh yeah…"
(O)
Interlude
"Hey Skittles," Caliyana said, drawing up some cards and shuffling them in her hands, "Do you think sending them into different dimensions was a good idea?"
"Not really, but until they've been judged, they can't enter at all. It's always like that and we don't have the power to bend the rules," Skittles said sighing, "And you know Tasara."
Caliyana winced. Speaking bad things about guardians when you're in their home can cause problems for you. She shook her head, remembering her test. Being sent to a world where death was another Hell and dying was no salvation. Skittles never spoke about her test ever, but she had a lingering fear of mirrors that sent her into hysterics.
She was sure the worlds the Chosen were sent to were nothing overly dangerous. But the effects…
"Stop worrying about them Alari," Skittles said smiling, "I know these guys, albeit not that well. Trust me, they can take care of themselves. When we went, we were alone. They're not. They'll have each other to rely on and that will help them to pass the test."
"I understand," Alari Caliyana said, bowing her head and looking at cards, "But they'll need to hurry. The enemy is aware of them."
Skittles laughed harshly, "What fun would it be if they weren't?"
End Interlude
(O)
After they got over the guards (and Arnar got a few bruises too. Next time, keep the bright ideas to yourself).
The signs of wreckage lay all around them. Pieces of the ceiling were on the ground and plaster decorated the soft marble floors. Sunlight streamed through the open holes in the roof and the windows were wide open.
"That's it?" Nanashi raised an eyebrow, "I thought there would be more defenses to this place."
"No!" Asa-chan gaped, "Nanashi! You know better than to say things like that!"
The sound of footsteps echoed. They looked at Nanashi.
"You jinxed it!" They pointed at her.
Nanashi edged away, "Umm…whoops?"
Out of the shadows came out teenagers with goggles on their heads and scarves draped on their necks. Yes, a cross between Taichi Yagami and Kai Hiwatari.
That's disturbing…
"You had to jinx it, didn't you?" Angevar grumbled.
"Hehehe…gomen ne!" Nanashi apologized.
"Never mind that," Arnar snapped, "See their leader?"
Angevar squinted. He was tall with silver hair that reached his shoulders. The goggles were over his eyes, but she could make out a piercing blue. Like streams and rivers.
Streams and rivers….
"No way…" Angevar's eyes widened, "Shogo Asagi?!"
(O)
"Well I knew I was popular, but not this popular," Shogo said, his smile never leaving his face, "You guys are obviously not from around here, but you know my name. How interesting."
"Umm…" Angevar struggled for an explanation, "We need something here urgently."
"And what is it?" Shogo's glasses glinted as the others edged away from him.
"A tapestry?" Angevar squeaked. She had liked Shogo in the book, but she also remembered the devastating power his kudan had and she didn't want to come in contact with it.
"We can't allow that," Shogo answered calmly, as his teammates sniggered, "Because we were assigned to protect it."
"Why?" Nanashi asked, clearly confused.
Shogo and his teammates lapsed into an embarrassed silence, "Well…umm….you see….all this wreckage?"
They nodded.
"Well, the city hall kinda caught us at it and they….persuaded us to do community service…" He glanced at the incredulous looks on their faces, "So…ummm….that's why we're here…."
"They're making you do community service?!" Leila snickers, "What if you cause more damage?"
Shogo scowled, "Hey, I'm not that accident prone!"
"Right," Asa-chan smirked, eliciting a growl from Shogo, "We so believe you."
A vein popped near Shogo's forehead, "That's it. Girl or not, you guys are so going to get it!"
"'Get it?'" Nanashi raised an eyebrow, "Never knew you were so kinky Shogo."
Shogo blushed and then his glasses glinted evilly.
Meanwhile…
"Maybe we should have told the others that we were going to sneak away Arnar," Angevar said, scratching her head, "I mean, what if they need backup?"
"Chill," Arnar said coolly, "I'm sure they can handle it…."
"MUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
They looked at each other.
"On the other hand…" Arnar started until Angevar grabbed his wrist. He ignored his blush.
"There it is! There's that damn tapestry!" Angevar said excitedly, "We found it!"
It was long and it depicted a large crimson streaked horse and a boy next to it. The boy had wide cheerful eyes that seemed to steal away the light in the shadowed room.
"It doesn't look too big," Arnar remarked, "We should be able to wrap it up."
"What about the others?" Angevar said, wincing at the loud bangs that came from the room they left Leila, asa-chan, Nanashi and Shogo in.
"Well, let's go help them!" Arnar said, shoving the tapestry in his backpack.
(O)
Shogo was surrounded by a shield of water that seemed to block everything thrown in his way. He smirked, "Why don't you bring out your kudans? Because if you keep this up—,"
"Please don't talk, I'm trying to concentrate!" Leila snapped as she flung a dagger at his head, only to fall and drop at his feet, "Shimatta 2!"
"I. Really. Hate. Water," Nananshi gritted out as she dodged another jet of water from Shogo's manta-ray kudan.
"We kinda know that already Nana-chan," Asa-chan answered back sarcastically, as she tried to aim her own water blast at Shogo, only to get deflected.
"We're here!" Angevar yelled as she raised the dirt to muck up Shogo's shield of water. Arnar came behind her a few seconds after, his axe in hand.
"And where in Dragoon's name were you?" Leila snapped, but her lips twisted upwards, "You better have a good reason."
"We got the Tapestry! Good enough?" Angevar smirked.
"Maybe. Now let's send this guy flying," Leila closed her eyes and a glowing ball of energy. Shogo blocked it with his shield again though.
Shogo smiled, "Where are your kudans? I'm getting bored."
Arnar muttered (think Sanzo) and his axe appeared. He swung an arc at the bubble shield Shogo had erected. The bubble burst sending water everywhere.
"Ack! My hair!" Nanashi complained.
Shogo clicked his fingers and a glowing blue ball appeared before his kudan's mouth.
"Uh-oh…" Arnar stepped away.
"Flood them."
(O)
Interlude
"Man, I knew I shouldn't have walked away from the group," Aquenze moaned, "My obsession for shiny mirrors has got to go."
She looked at the corridor and sighed, "Might as well see if I can find the exit,"
The corridor did end. It was a wide circular room with a pillar in the middle. Aquenze squinted at it. How odd, there were statues around the pillar. They look almost real…
Always the curious one (that's our Aquenze), she came closer and put a hand on one of the statues. It was a girl with long jet-black hair and she seemed like she was in deep sleep. Her hand trembled.
The statue had a pulse.
Aquenze hastily pulled her hand back. That can't be right, She thought, that would mean that these guys are…alive.
She hesitantly put her hand on the person's head. Again, the faint pulse was there.
But why are there people here? It doesn't make sense…
Tasara had a lot more to explain, she thought grimly.
Loud footsteps were heard and a harsh male voice called out.
"Who's there?"
End Interlude
Drowning.
There's no air!
Breathe! Must breathe!
Her eyes opened briefly, to see a black shape in the water. The water was clogging her thought and she was sure she was going to die.
Then she felt a pair of lips descend onto her mouth and she felt the glorious rush of air. The black shape dragged her through the water and they broke at the surface.
"W-What," Angevar spoke, her teeth chattering and her lips blue, "was that?"
Arnar looked sheepish, "Well, you were drowning."
Angevar blushed and made a mental note never to become unconscious underwater again.
"What about the others?" Angevar glanced frantically.
Arnar shrugged, "I dunno. I only saw you."
"Damnit!" Leila broke the surface of the water, clutching an unconscious Asa-chan, "If you don't wake up, I'll destroy your plushie collection!"
Angevar and Arnar swam towards her. Asa-chan was coughing up water and Leila was struggling to keep Asa-chan afloat.
"Where's Nanashi?" Angevar's muscles were tired. Keeping afloat is a hard job, "Where is she?"
Leila shook her head, "I don't know! I don't know! I—," She stifled a sob.
Suddenly, the water began to subside. And began to feel hot. Boiling almost.
"What?!" Shogo was still there, on top of his kudan.
The water drained away to nothing except one Nanashi and a scaly salamander curled at her feet. The flames from both the kudan and Nanashi began to send steam into the air and the roof began to burn.
"Nanashi!" Angevar struggled to her feet, "Nanashi, stop!"
Nanashi didn't hear her and the flames began to lick the walls of the Hanshin palace. The roof was crumbling.
"Nanashi! You're going to destroy everything!" Arnar shouted, "You have to stop."
The roof collapsed knocking Shogo out of the air. He landed on the ground unconscious. Arnar ran over to him and shook, "Wake up!"
"Asa-chan?" Leila shook her. Asa-chan's eyes were unfocused, "Asa-chan, you have to put out the flames!"
"We have to get out!" Angevar covered her face as more of the roof collapsed, "Nanashi!"
Arnar closed his eyes and flung something at Nanashi. Immediately, she fell to the ground and her kudan vanished.
"What did you do?" Angevar shouted at Arnar as she ran over and picked up Nanashi.
"Stun her. No lasting damage," Arnar said, hefting Shogo over his shoulder, "Now go!"
And they ran as if the seven dogs of Hell were after them. And the famous Hanshin palace fell to ruin.
(O)
"We're lucky to be alive," Leila said, after both Asa-chan and Nanashi apologized around 270 times for the whole incident. Though why Asa-chan is apologizing is beyond her.
"Amen," Angevar said, looking at the Asa-chan and Nanashi who just sat there with woebegone expressions, "Should we tell them that they should quit with the guilt trip?"
"Nah," Leila smirked, "Blessed silence."
"All right," Angevar sighed, "But that damn tapestry burned up as well."
"Hey look, Shogo is waking up!" Arnar pointed and they all gathered around him.
"Did the sky fall on my head?" Shogo muttered groggily, "No more hangovers for me." He turned to see thunderous expressions from the group, "Um hi?"
"Actually, I think this whole incident is his fault," Leila grumbled, giving Shogo an evil glare, "Considering he tried to drown us."
Shogo retreated, "Umm….thanksforsavingmylifeandnowgoodbye!" He squeaked as he ran off.
"COME BACK HERE!" Angevar yelled, but to no avail, "Sheesh, he left his glasses behind."
"Good thing too," A voice said.
They all jumped ten feet in the air before calming down.
"Oh, it's only you Sorata," Angevar said, "Thank god."
"I did some research on that tapestry and it's not a leader's emblem," Sorata said, rubbing his chin, "Because Odysseus was a traveler."
He looked at them and hid behind a rock. Because they definitely didn't look happy. Not even in the least bit.
"So, you're saying," Nanashi spoke deliberately, "We did all that for NOTHING?!"
Sorata squeaked, "Don't you want to know the good news?"
"It better be good for your sake," Asa-chan muttered.
"Those goggles is what you need."
They stared at him.
"Come again?" Angevar said.
"Those goggles are a leader's emblem. Because that's what Shogo uses to represent his gang. A leader's emblem." He finished and covered his face so he wouldn't see the massacre.
Nothing happened.
He blinked. And opened one eye.
They had already left.
"I'm still alive!!!!!!!" Sorata cheered, "Honey, drinks on the house!"
CS: It ends there?
Me: …It's fifteen pages. Give the readers a break!
CS: ….
Me: Anyway, I'm thinking this story needs to be divided into two parts. Because there's still lots more to come.
CS: I think this is going to be your longest story ever so far.
Me: Hey, it's popular!
CS: Reviewers receive—
Me: Ryo plushies from the shounen-ai show FAKE!
Dee: oO Where did you get those?! GIMME!
Me: (sticks tongue out) Get lost. You have the Real Ryo, so the plushies are for reviewers!
Dee: …….
CS: (pulls Ryo's plushie hair) Review!