Hey all,

Here's another chapter and my last fully typed one, which means I'm going to be frantically getting the next 2 chapters ready for the next few weeks.

Anyway, as always feedback is appreciated but not expected.

Enjoy xx

Chapter 17

Gaea

She looked out across the scenery with an almost sorrowful expression. The day had finally arrived, but she couldn't smile like she thought she would be. With how busy they'd both been, neither of them had been able to spend much time together. Leaving her with no time to speak to him about the necklace. She hadn't stopped thinking about it all week and now she was desperate to resolve the matter before the party started. She'd already been by his room and knew he still carried it with him.

'Aww, don't worry. Now you can use the party to make him announce to all of Gaea that he's giving up Hitomi completely,' Dilandau sneered gleefully.

'Shut up,' she snapped.

'Oh, and how do you plan to make me do that? After all, you still don't have the power to get rid of me.'

Clenching her fists, she fought to keep herself from arguing needlessly with him. He was right after all; she didn't have the power to get rid of him. And he was going to keep reminding her, like he had done all week as she'd tried to fight the temptation.

'Fight temptation? You didn't fight very hard then, especially today. Face it Celena, you'll never obtain the necklace and only Hitomi could ever help you get rid of me like you wish you could.'

As he laughed like the maniac he was, she suddenly knew what she needed to do. If she could pull Hitomi to Gaea, she could get her wish granted. With a renewed determination, she headed inside to prepare for the party. Tonight, she would finally be free of Dilandau, even if it meant sacrificing her peace of mind by summoning Van's first love to do it.

Earth

Hitomi sat out in the garden looking up at the sky. Today was the day, her return to Gaea was happening tonight and Dilandau would finally have his own body at last, provided it all went to plan, and she could get them there. For the last week, they'd all been fine tuning the plan and training as much as possible. Thanks to Folken, it had been an easy transition from planning to preparing. She'd been surprised that Folken had revealed himself, but it seemed the boys had taken the new easily.

Naria and Eriya on the other hand, hadn't taken the news so well. It had taken a day or two for the news to settle. When it did though, they would spend time with him, but they were making it very clear, he was no longer their priority now. Not over Hitomi. They were guarded around him as well and whilst she couldn't blame them, she did plan to speak with them once they were done with their plan.

However, considering the day they'd planned for weeks was finally here, instead of feeling excited, eager or happy; she didn't feel anything at all. So, whilst everyone was doing last minute preparations, she'd come outside to be alone to reflect on it or at least find something in the sky. But the sky was as eerily clear and calm as her emotions, and she felt emptier for it. So engrossed in herself, she didn't hear anyone join her outside and she jumped when he felt a shawl being draped over her shoulders, only to sigh in relief when she saw it was Folken leaning over her.

"You seem like you're trying to find yourself out here," Folken noted.

"Maybe. I'm just…a little empty I guess," she sighed.

"I wouldn't say you're empty," he offered as she sat down next to her, "This is just how you're preparing. The calm before the storm as it were. After your last experience with Gaea & what's happened since, it's no surprise your emotions took themselves out of the equation. Like a self-defence tactic of sorts."

"Hmmm…"

"Do I need to get your father?" he joked.

"No," She smiled, "I was only thinking, besides it wouldn't help. He's been avoiding me, and he's been preparing to go back since I told him about Gaea. And he's keeping quiet about the scorch marks at the graves."

"Because he didn't see what happened. Only I did."

"You was there?"

"I was. I assume you were speaking with my mother at the time?"

"Who else would use my connection to Van?"

"Well, when you cut her connection, your anger was so strong a ring of fire appeared around you and pushed outwards," Folken explained.

"I caused it?" she asked in shock.

"You have a lot more power than you realise Hitomi, possibly enough power to challenge fate itself now," he stated, "And subconsciously, I think part of you is holding back because part of you is holding back your anger and your visions."

"That's the problem, I haven't been blocking them since the accident," she admitted quietly, wrapping her arms around her legs, drawing them further back into her.

"Are you sure? Or are you scared they'll only show you death again?"

"It's never mattered before, I never got to choose what I saw," she sighed, "And your mother was the one who told me my anxiety was pulling unhappy futures in place."

"Except this time, you've chosen not to see since your return. Maybe your anger at being pulled back is the part of you holding them back out of spite."

"I'm furious they're dragging me back but it's not like I can let my anger lead this?"

"Why not? It has so far."

"Because I can't. Not fully. Bitter ex and all that," she muttered.

"Want my opinion?" Folken asked with a smile, getting a nod in return. "Forget the 'violence only begets more violence' philosophy that's ingrained in you and take a leaf from Dilandau's book. I know it's frowned on to show anger so easily but let it take the front seat like he does. You need to feel it fully and you need to show that anger and betrayal fully to all who stand in the way."

"But how?"

"You'll figure it out," he said.

She gave a small smile as thanks before resting her head on his shoulder. Neither of them moved or spoke for several moments, just enjoying the silence, until Hitomi lifted her head back up, looking up at the sky again. She knew what she needed to do now. If it would work, was another matter. She stood, facing Folken that smile still in place.

"We should go back in and help," she suggested.

"They've got it handled. You on the other hand, need to start preparing. Go get showered, your sisters will help you get ready."

Gaea

Van looked at the pendant. He was supposed to be getting ready and meeting with the council before the guests began to arrive. But he'd only gotten halfway when his reflection caught his attention. Namely the necklace around his neck. It had been on his mind since Allen had brought it up a week ago. At the time, he'd said it was just a necklace, but Allen had been right. It was his last attachment to Hitomi and like his people, she was his symbol of hope.

He may not be in love with Hitomi anymore, but he hadn't been prepared to give the necklace. He hadn't even thought it would be a problem to continue wearing it now he would be marrying Celena. But he hadn't taken Celena's feelings or insecurities into consideration, and she'd never lose those insecurities if he continued to wear it. He'd considered hiding it for a while, but again Celena would never lose that insecurity and his people would view it as he was abandoning their connection to their saviour. He couldn't just get rid of it just to give Celena peace of mind either, because of the views of his kingdom. The only option he had was to give her the necklace but now they had no time to spare.

With his decision made, he quickly finished getting ready, pocketing the necklace and heading out to find his council to discuss a hasty plan he was making on the spot. One way or another, he'd make sure his future wife got the confidence she needed and all of Gaea as well as his people would see he wasn't forsaking the girl from the Mystic Moon, their saviour.

Earth

She found herself back out in the garden, only this time she was dressed in her 'Kickass Queen' outfit as the others called it. Naria and Eriya had outdone themselves with her hair and make-up, and they'd even found a mask that matched her outfit to cover the top half of her face and eyes as well as a full-length skirt that could be easily removed for the sake of blending in. Though they'd left it off until all the man had seen the outfit as Dilandau intended it.

With everyone just as decked out, that eagerness and anticipation she'd expected earlier was finally flowing through her. So, while Folken went over the plan one final time, she excused herself without dragging any attention to herself.

"You look beautiful," she heard her father say, making her turn.

"Thanks dad," she smiled.

"I assume this is the outfit you told me Dilandau created for you?"

"Yeah, think it's queenly enough?" she joked.

"Most definitely. I'm glad I was able to fly back and see it," he smiled.

She couldn't help but agree with the sentiment. He'd only been in England a week when an additional 6 weeks was added to his timeline there. He would have been home in a weeks' time if that had remained the case. However, a week ago when Folken had revealed himself to the others, he'd had a further 8 weeks added on. He'd bargained for a week off to come home and 'check on his grieving daughter' in exchange for a further 12 weeks instead when he returned. He'd arrived only 2 days ago and had been busy getting to know everyone since. With a sudden clarity, she realised this was their first moment alone as Father and Daughter since he'd returned.

"I'm glad you could make it back too," she said.

"Are you prepared for what's next?" he asked.

"I've been prepared for a while now."

"Then I want you to promise me something."

"What is it?" she asked curious.

"Don't let the actions of a few decide Gaea's overall fate, and don't let a moment of anger make the decision for you. If you can, don't let your anger consume you."

"I wouldn't but how little do you think of me that you can even suggest that?" she asked, irritation flooding through her veins.

"I don't. The anger you feel now is nothing in comparison to pure unadulterated rage. The kind of rage that can't be controlled and can blind you to everything. If it was possible, I'd tell you not to let your anger lead you or have free reign, but I know you can't do that."

"You're right, I can't do that," she snapped, "They need to learn that I am not their tool to used for their gain alone. That I won't be a puppet to fate and their selfish fucking wishes. But I will try not to make any rash decision based on anger alone."

"That's good enough for me," he smirked, "Think that was a good boost to get that anger flowing?"

"More than enough, you conniving old man," she growled.

"There's my stubborn princess," he chuckled earning a punch in the shoulder as the door behind them opened. She watched as Folken stepped out, with everyone following after. The dragon slayers and twins stayed back slightly whilst Folken joined her and her father with a smile.

"You ready?" Folken asked.

"I think so now I've pissed her off," Draco smirked, "Right Hitomi?"

She smirked evilly and turned to face the end of the garden. She took a few steps forward, closing her eyes and concentrating on her anger. It was like a cord snapping when her eyes snapped open and like on the day she met Van, a doorway between Earth and Gaea opened showing a forest. She took a few more steps forward when the growling started, chilling the slayers and twins to the core as they fought the urge to prepare for the worst.

Instead, they all watched as two dragons emerged from the forest and slowly approached Hitomi. Their fingers twitched as they continued to fight their instinct to step in and get her away from the creatures. But if they moved now, they'd put Hitomi in more danger. They were helpless as the two dragons studied their Queen, moving their heads to eye her carefully whilst Folken and Draco continued to smirk. But they were all left standing in awe at what happened next.

Both dragons seemed to have found what they were looking for in Hitomi before one nudged her with their snout and the other wrapped itself around her till it's head was at her other side, both allowing her to pet them as she smiled.

"I take it this means you'll help my family and I then?" she asked.

When the dragons made a sound akin to a purr, she giggled and said thank you before turning back to the others with a smirk that rivalled Dilandau's.

"Let's begin, shall we?"

So that's it for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

For anyone who's a Beyblade fan, I've uploaded my latest chapter for my new Beyblade Story, 4 Queens - another slow burner but I'm partial to long stories lol

As always, any feedback is great feedback, but it's not expected.

Next upload is: 23rd July (Provided I'm done typing it up and editing it)

Until next time xx