A/N: Well, I am so sorry I haven't updated for a long, long time. I have a lot of work to do which doesn't leave much time for writing. Thanks to the following people for reviewing:
shadow Glider Thank you for the suggestion. It's a good idea and it may be put into use. I can imagine a lot of funny situations involving 'Allana.'
Chibihitomi Thank you for reviewing once again. Ooh, yes, there are so many ways to make Allen steep even lower. Yeah I agree Allen can never die. He's too amusing.
HopelesslyEscaflowne Lol. So do you think I should tone down with the Allen bashing? I try not to hurt him too much.
ChisakamiSaiyuki Yeah, you may be a little confused. I was trying to catch up with the rest of the characters from where I left them chapters ago.
Macky Thanks for the review, and glad you enjoyed the story.
Rave264 Wow, I'm glad it's interested you that much. Thanx for reviewing!
Lucky-DicE1012 I agree. It's good to get a balance of both.
Mysisterisaquijum Lol. Thank you for reviewing. Your wait is now over.
Alantie Mistaniu That is a good suggestion, and it would be a shame to put it to waste. Hmm, imagine Allen suddenly acting like a five-year-old girl in the middle of a raging battle…
Twilight Elf- Maiden Another great idea! Yeah, I do like D/H pairings and I love fanfics with the pairing but I don't really have much time anymore to write so I don't think there will be one soon. But thanx for the review, I really appreciate it!
Kyria Will do, no worries
Falling Tenshi Thank you for reviewing, I'm glad you like the story. Hey, Barbie Boy is quite a good nameDark Inuyoukai Thank you for reviewing, sorry I haven't updated in so long
Elina-chan Don't worry I will. I think it's time the pace moved on a bit
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Stuff Was Bound To Happen
Part I
"What are you four men doing…OOMPH!"The servant promptly had the wind knocked out of him as Hitomi elbowed him in the ribs.
"What did you just call us?" Celena demanded angrily.
"Do we look like men to you?" Hitomi yelled, gesturing at herself and Celena.
The little cretin/ servant looked bewildered. "What?" His little beady eyes went back and forth between Dilandau and Van, then Hitomi and Celena. It cradled its head in its hands.
"Ugh, see what six months living on a ship in the middle of nowhere does to you?" he muttered to himself. "I need a vacation."
"I'm not sure about that, there's a lot of killing going on now." Van advised.
The little cretin glared at him. "No thanks to you, Zaibach soldiers. What do you want anyway?"
"To talk to Dryden," Celena replied breezily. "We're due for a visit."
Before the cretin with a migraine could complain, A tall man dressed like a Gaia type hippy came striding into the room. He stopped short upon noticing the company standing in front of their guymelefs, wearing large, sharp, dangerous, pointy weapons and shiny, cool armour. His mouth dropped open and he stood agog.
"What the…" he said
The cretin creature cowered. "Master Dryden, I tried to stop them, honestly but…"
Dryden brushed straight past him, and stood in front of Celena and Hitomi.
"Well hello there," he said huskily, taking a hand of theirs each and planting a kiss on them. "I don't think I've been introduced to such fine beauties as yourselves."
Hitomi and Celena chuckled, smiled and immediately liked this Dryden guy. Dilandau and Van watched from the sidelines in bemusement.
"Ah, hello?" Dilandau called waving a hand in front of Dryden's face. "We exist too!"
Hitomi arched an eyebrow. "What, you want him to kiss your hand too?"
Dilandau scoffed. "Hardly. I want him to acknowledge my existence as an a super evil leader of a cool gang."
"Existence acknowledged," Dryden replied, glancing at him before turning back to the girls.
"Yes I've been expecting you, but I wasn't expecting such beautiful women to accompany you," he said slowly, gazing at the two girls. Van felt he was staring too much at a certain emerald-eyed companion of his and marched over, placing himself in between Dryden and the girls.
"You're engaged to Princess Millerna," Van reminded him with a glare that to any male clearly stated back off.
Dryden chuckled. "Whatever. By the way, some of your friends have arrived. Guimel and Chesta arrived with Eyria and Nayria. The cat girls had some bad injuries, but they're getting along better now."
Dilandau frowned. "Where's Miguel?"
"He stayed behind to spy on Morgana," Dryden explained. "Zaibach have started using mages in guymelefs."
"Great," Celena said. They all looked at her. "Well, it isn't really, but erm, I was being sarcastic!" she yelled.
"Where are we going?" Hitomi asked as they followed Dryden somewhere, with both Hitomi and Celena on his arms.
"I have no idea, but I guess to meet with everyone else and hatch up an evil diabolical plan to kick Zaibach ass." Dryden replied.
Dilandau and Van followed behind. The almighty Dragonslayer suddenly smirked evilly.
"By the way Dryden, you do know Millerna is coming here right?"
Memories of a ten-year-old tomboy princess kicking him out of the Royal Tree House flooded his mind.
"I am so dead," Dryden gulped.
451) Make him do tricks like at a circus!
452) They could make Allen ballet dance in battle, with tutu and the whole she-bang. ooh, and a tiara
453) Can he please be hypnotized into thinking he's a five year old girl?
454) I think Allen should have his nose remodelled, he should have it extended, not that it wasn't big to begin with and he should have his lips fuller as well. No, no a sex change, Allana!
Eries stared at the list in wonder, which had grown dramatically longer since she had last checked it ten minutes ago.
"Where do these suggestions keep coming from?" she wondered aloud.
Boris checked the list. "It says here that these are the suggestions of the reviewers," he commented.
"Reviewers eh? Well they are quite good suggestions, though I fear the last one may damage him, then, we will have no Allen!"
"Hey, why bother with a sex change?" Boris pointed out? "He practically acts like a girl anyway. Plus in his current state he can be a boy or girl!"
"Double bonus!" Duke Freid exclaimed.
"What's a sex change?" Prince Chid questioned innocently.
There was a long pause. Eries bent down and came face to face with her nephew. "Do you really want to know that or do you want to go and play with Allen?" she asked sweetly.
"Play with Allen, yeah!" Chid yelled, and run away at the speed of light.
A moment later they glanced outside the window just in time to see Chid dressing Allen up in the role of the princess among his other life size action figurines. Then, just as the knight in shining armour (being manoeuvred by palace staff according to the prince's wishes) was about to rescue Princess Allana from the clutches of an evil guymelef, one of the servants sneezed, jolting the others and causing them to knock the knight into Princess Allana. Allana promptly fell of the bridge into a conveniently nearby pond, where the ducks started pecking at her curiously.
"Oops," Prince Chid said, from his director's chair.
Van was getting overly bored of Dryden boasting about all the great stuff he had done in his life, and decided maybe he should entertain himself by talking to Hitomi, and, he thought slyly, distract her from Dryden. It was true that the girls were paying attention only to Dryden, but contrary to Dilandau's theory that he had somehow slipped a love potion into their drinks, it was really because Dryden was completely charming and lovely. No wonder girls liked him- he really understood how girls wanted to be treated.
Okay concentrate, Van thought. Just concentrate on Hitomi. What shall I say? Maybe hello? Wait no that sounds ridiculous. How about shall we carry on where we left off in private? Yeah, that sounds right. Now, just concentrate on those words and picture her beautiful face.
Just as Van was about to picture Hitomi, the little cretin from earlier entered, his ugly face disturbing Van's concentration and messing up his control.
The cretin had had enough of a bad day already. There he was walking along innocently when suddenly he heard the words "Shall we carry on where we left off in private?" uttered in a masculine voice in his head
Everyone was confused as to why the cretin passed out cold on the floor mere seconds later, whilst Van looked away innocently.
Miguel flicked through the books, searching for something that would be of use to their side. So far all he had come across were strange, complicated formulas and symbols. Finally he found what he was looking for in a thin journal that looked as though it had been made not too long ago.
He read through the pages, and the information they bore caused a frown to work its way onto his lips. He slipped this book into his uniform, knowing it would give vital information that could help their side.
Miguel crept away as silently as he had come, sending a message to his team telling them to meet him as soon as they possibly could.
They had known the situation was grave, but now Miguel had found out what they were up against, and it didn't look good.
Van, Celena and Dryden stood in the docking bay, watching as the Crusade descended upon the landing platform. Dilandau made his way over to Hitomi, who was standing a good distance away from the rest.
"Why are you standing so far away?" he questioned.
Hitomi gave a sheepish grin and chuckled, although it sounded strained. "I'm just scared that Merle's going to claw my eyes out," she replied, slightly embarrassed yet fearful.
"Why because you're with Van?" Dilandau asked. She nodded, and he gave a light chuckle. She looked up at him in puzzlement.
"What? Why are you laughing?"
Dilandau gave her a Cheshire cat style smirk. "If I recall correctly, it was Merle herself who told Allen that you and Van had eloped. If she had been absolutely hell bent on him then she would never have done something so rash."
Hitomi pondered this. "I guess you're right. "But she is awfully protective of him."
"Yes, she's extremely loyal to him," Dilandau agreed. "But when she can sense things normal humans cannot, and she can sense your true feelings for Van. Once Merle knew that you meant no harm to him, she accepted you."
"Merle…" Hitomi murmured, watching as the crew poured out of the Crusade. A certain blonde lady came out first, escorted by the esteemed Captain Gaddes.
Captain Gaddes smiled as he saw the welcome party. "Lord Dryden, may I present to you the lovely Princess Millerna."
Dryden's jaw dropped open. This beautiful vision was his fiancée? Memories of a little girl with mud splattered all over her seemed a world away from this lady. She had grown into a true princess.
The result was likewise. "Dryden?" Millerna exclaimed. "You look different!"
"Well, I guess five years is a long time for changes to happen," Dryden chuckled lightly.
Millerna smiled gracefully. "Yes, it is."
The rest of the crew poured out onto the platform.
"Lord Van, I've missed you!" Merle cried, leaping into her friend's arms. Van laughed as he received her. She made a face at him. "Ugh, what did you do to your hair?"
"It's a disguise," Van explained. "Hitomi's hair has changed also."
Merle looked over to where Hitomi and Dilandau were standing aloof. For a moment she and Hitomi stood still with their eyes locked. Then Merle smiled, giving Hitomi a small wave. Hitomi's face broke out into a relieved smile, and she returned the gesture heartily. Van looked at her happily, and Merle gave her a knowing wink.
Dilandau whispered into her ear, "See, I told you everything would turn out alright."
Dryden POV
Dryden stood wearily, watching as the crewmembers of the Crusade descended. He shifted from one foot to the next, and Celena noticed this subtle action.
"Why so nervous?" she asked.
"It's Millerna," Dryden confessed. "I haven't seen her in so long. She has never liked me you know."
Celena smiled. "After the guys she's hung out with, you'll seem like a refreshing breath of freedom to her."
A group of people walked out, among them a young lady, whose aura radiated from her and drew Dryden's attention. His eyes widened ever so slightly. She was beautiful, not just because of her looks. There was strength about her that fascinated Dryden immensely, and a steely look in her eyes warned that she was not an easy foe.
Captain Gaddes smiled as he saw the welcome party awaiting them on the platform. "Lord Dryden, may I present to you the lovely Princess Millerna."
Dryden's jaw dropped open. This beautiful vision was his fiancée? Memories of a little girl with mud splattered all over her seemed a world away from this lady. She had grown into a true princess. She was the very image of grace, calm and beauty, but Dryden could still see a hint of the independence that she had always held so dear.
The result was likewise. "Dryden?" Millerna exclaimed. "You look different!"
"Well, I guess five years is a long time for changes to happen," Dryden chuckled lightly.
Millerna smiled gracefully. "Yes, it is."
He took her hand and laid upon it a chaste kiss. Millerna felt her stomach flutter as he smiled warmly at her. She was used to guys looking at her with hidden intentions, but Dryden looked genuinely glad to see her.
Dryden offered her his arm, and she took it warmly as they headed the party to the heart of his ship.
"Millerna?" Dryden asked.
"Yes?"
"Do you remember that time you kicked me out of the tree house?"
Millerna looked at him in surprise and laughed heartily. "Of all people to bring that up! I thought you would have wanted to forget that as soon as possible."
Dryden grinned. "Well, it hurt my pride, but there's no hiding the facts. Princess or no princess, you're a pretty strong woman. And princess or not you'll do good for Gaia."
Millerna smiled. "Dryden, you really have changed."
Plactu looked troubled. "But why would we want him to act like a five year old girl? Would that not give us nightmares?"
"Maybe, but my dear son Chid is getting pretty bored hanging out with a toy he can command all the time. He needs someone of his own age to be with," Duke Freid explained. "And since there is no one his age around, Allen will have to do."
Eries, who had been listening up till now, took the opportunity to interrupt. "That's all good and all, but we need to think seriously for a moment. What are we to do about Zaibach?"
"We could clone Allen and create a super army," Plactu suggested.
Boris shook his head in disagreement. "Not a good idea. We don't have enough time to create an army large enough to oppose Zaibach. And besides, we would lose immediately."
Eries cringed. "Urgh, thousands of baby Allens…"
They all felt sick to the stomach at the thought.
"And so, to conclude, we should all rush into Zaibach and ATTACK!"
Everyone jolted from their sleep and looked at Van drowsily. They looked about in confusion until they remembered that they were supposed to be listening to Van's speech.
Hitomi, the only one who had not been swayed by the power of boredom, spoke up.
"Van, as good as that plan sounds, I think we should try a more subtle approach. Remember, we don't want to draw Morgana to you."
Van laughed sheepishly. "Ah yeah, I forgot about that part."
Merle raised an eyebrow and muttered to herself. "Oh what, you just forgot that an evil witch is trying to possess you and take over your mind so that she can make herself queen and rule Fanelia, which is burnt to a crisp right now, then eventually take over Gaia, not to mention she's trying to split you and Hitomi apart and tried to kill Eyria and Naria. I mean sure, who forgets that?
Van looked at her quizzically. "Did you say something Merle?"
The cat girl smiled innocently. "No, nothing at all."
The evil boy genius himself, Dilandau Albatou, rose from his seat to stand beside Van.
"Nobody said this was going to be easy. In fact, it's possibly going to be the hardest thing you'll ever do in your entire life. And to succeed, you need someone with experience with Zaibach. And that someone is me," and then he said on an afterthought, "And maybe the Dragonslayers as well."
Everyone applauded; Celena wiped a tear from her eyes. Dilandau continued with his speech. "What we need is to take Zaibach out from the inside. Miguel has given us this information about Zaibach that will help us: The sorcerers have been experimenting on creating a super soldier, combining human and beast together."
Millerna grimaced. "And have they succeeded?"
Dilandau nodded. "Yeah well, they've made about a thousand already."
Everybody gaped. "A thousand?" Hitomi said in disbelief. "How are we supposed to fight them all?"
"What are they suppose to be able to do anyway?" Dryden asked.
"Well, they can move faster, become invisible, fly, and pilot guymelefs- which Folken has provided for them. And according to Miguel, these aren't the usual tin scraps that are easy to beat. They are somewhat near to Escaflowne standards."
There was a long pause ass everyone tried to imagine a beastie boy piloting a guymelefs.
"And they have fangs," Dilandau said dramatically. "
They all shuddered in horror. Van thought aloud, "So we have to take them out before they get to the battlefield? How do we accomplish that?"
Celena sat up. "Infiltration. We're dressed as Zaibach spies, we become Zaibach spies."
Hitomi looked confused. "But aren't we suppose to be finding Atlantis?"
Dilandau nodded. "It seems that Folken is doing the same. The Flying Fortress seems to be heading in the direction of the Plains of Asgard. It is only a matter of time before they reach the Mystic Valley."
"And Atlantis," Hitomi concluded. "Oh this is bad. What if they get to Atlantis before us?"
Dryden shook his head. "Worry not. Even if they reach the Mystic Valley, they don't know how to get to Atlantis. The only one who can get there," he said, looking straight at Hitomi, "Is you."
"But I don't know the way either." Hitomi stammered.
"Not now," Van said. "But your power may be awakened when we get closer."
Celena stood up, and headed out of the room. They all watched her go quietly, Dilandau watching her with masked curiosity. A few moments later she returned carrying a book bound in leather. She handed it to Dryden.
"When I was younger, my father set out to find Atlantis. My mother gave him this journal to write his findings in. However he never returned." She gave a slight cough, and continued. "On her deathbed, my mother entrusted this to me and told me a secret. One night she had been at home alone, when suddenly there came a bright flash from my father's study. Upon going in there she came across this on his desk. It was then she believed my father to be dead, and that his dying wish was to return this, and its secrets to her."
Dryden thanked her tremendously, knowing how much the book meant to her. "I'll take good care of it," he promised.
Celena looked up and caught Dilandau's eye. Immediately he could see the pain and sadness hidden in the depths of her eyes. He walked over to her and embraced her in a comforting hug. Everyone else left the room quietly to give them some privacy.
Dilandau lifted Celena's chin with his hand, and looked her straight in the eye. "Celena, I know that was a hard thing for you to do. And I know that you're probably not ready to open up about your past. But I just want you to know that, whenever you are ready, I'm here for you."
Celena smiled through her tears, hugging him tightly. And they stayed that way for a long time, just comforting each other.
"We're fine and ready to fight," Eyria stated. Naria stood beside her, aside from a few scratches, not looking as though they had been at death's door only a few days ago.
"Well for sure you can't go back to Zaibach," Gaddes said. "You're supposed to be dead."
"Then they can stay and fight with us," Merle, said simply, licking her paw.
"But what are we doing?" Millerna asked.
"Heading for Atlantis," Dryden explained.
Viole spoke up, "Whilst Van, Hitomi, Celena and Dilandau pose as soldiers on the Flying Fortress, and we will be travelling on The Crusade, posing as an opposing force trying to get to Atlantis before Zaibach do. That way Morgana will think that Hitomi and Van are on our ship."
"We'll have all our guymelefs on board, no worries," Chesta added.
"What about Escaflowne?" Guimel put in. Zaibach are still looking for it."
"Don't worry, it's safely stashed away in a hidden compartment. Van has returned it to its original size." Gaddes assured them.
"What if they realise that they have spies in their midst?" Naria piped up.
Gatti answered with, "In that case they make a hasty escape back to The Crusade, and then it's a race against time to reach the Mystic Valley."
"Is that it?" Millerna asked flatly. "That doesn't sound very well planned."
Dallet sighed. "Well, there isn't much we can do if that situation arises. We will be in constant touch with them via the gadgets Emperor Donkirk gave us, so if they need to escape we will be ready to receive them."
"What if they capture Hitomi?" Kio asked.
"Well we've thought about it," Gaddes said slowly. "And Hitomi told us that in the event she is captured, we should carry on no matter what. She says we have to be the ones to reach Atlantis first, whether she is with us or not. There's too much at stake."
"I don't really like the sound of that," Millerna said dryly, "But I guess she is right. We won't have time to rescue her if we want to get to Atlantis."
"What if it is Van?" Merle inquired. "Morgana still needs him."
"Better yet, let's hope that nobody gets captured at all," Dryden remarked.
"This is Fire, are you all set to go?"
"Water in, yes I'm ready." Celena sat strapped in to her guymelef, Hitomi behind her.
Van was with Dilandau this time. They would separate from the girls, and meet up with Miguel in the men's' quarters. In Zaibach the men and women lived in separate sections.
The guys were to try and put a stop to the mage and beast army, whilst the girls went to hunt down Morgana and try and get a glimpse of her plan, hopefully none of them would get caught.
"Then let's go," Dilandau said, starting up his guymelef.
From Dryden's ship, their allies waved goodbye heartily, yet they were filled with dread and sorrow at whatever fate their friends were to face.
"So what now?" Gaddes asked.
Dryden sighed. "We wait till we are required to play our part." He held up the book Celena had bestowed to him. "And we find out as much as we can about Atlantis."
END OF PART ONE
Well, that was part one. Be warned, someone will get captured in the next part. And someone's past is revealed. Well, sorry again it took so long, and I hoped you enjoyed it.