YAY! I'M FINALLY CAUGHT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (blows that thing that makes a weird noise at parties) this is one of the final chapters, and i'm really happy that i'm close to finishing a really successful fic. only five readers, but that's an accomplishment for me! i'm relatively new here and five readers, quite a few hits, and a whole bunch of favorited stuff on me and my story is a LOT for someone like me.

i thank all of you who have reviewed in the past! you're all so great! if you loved this you're going to love my next fic!

i'm really sorry if this chapter's a little choppy. it took me a week to come up with something and another month just to get it all down!

Disclaimer: it would be just fabulous if i could own Oban Star Racers! but alas, i don't have the time, money, or the drawing skills to own it. TTT-TTT

Journey to Nourasia, an After Oban Story

Ch 20 Slow and painful

Weeks had passed since Riri's sickening news. Nothing had happened just yet; a few battles here and there, but the humans hadn't attacked the castle. Still, everyone was on their toes, even queen Lyria was tensed by what prince Aikka had told her and King Naabu. The most uptight one of all was Riri herself.

Just a few nights ago, she had promised Jordan that she would keep Eva safe. Not knowing when the battle would commence and Eva trying to sneak out and fight was making that hard for her. Being discrete was becoming more and more difficult for the Japanese girl. The red-head was starting to become a body guard for Eva.

Things were getting more drastic. Fear was in the hearts of all, even in the bravest of Nourasian knights; that included the boys. It seemed like the mortal end of everything that ever existed on Nourasia.

In the castle library

"Riri, c'mon! Give me some space! Leave me alone!"

"No! If I do you'll leave the palace and get yerself killed! How'll I tell Aikka if that does happen?! Hmm!?" Eva was starting to loose her patience with Riri. She hadn't left her side since FIVE DAYS AGO!

"Why won't you leave me alone?! Why're you suddenly acting as Miss. Tough-girl-never-leave-my-side-bodyguard?! What happened?!"

Riri sighed, "You were going to ask sooner or later. A few nights ago, Jordan came by to see me."

"What?! Really?" Eva asked.

"Yes, but that's not all. He said something bad was about to happen…. To you."

"How do I know you're not trying to scare me into staying in the palace?"

"Eva, would I ever lie to you?" Molly got a look of disbelief upon her face.

Riri sighed once more. She lifted her bangs as she closed her eyes and summoned the mark of the Avatar. A yellow, squidish like mark appeared on her forehead. "Jordan gave me this to protect me from harm. I begged him to stop the war but he had no power over it." After she said that, she let her reddish-orange bangs drop on her forehead. The double colored haired girl stared in aw and wonderment. 'I don't believe it. Jordan came here?'

"What else did he say or tell you Reez?" Eva called Riri by her own nickname that she had given her.

"Nothing important for you to know."

"You've told me the worst. How bad could this other stuff be?"

"Alright, I'll tell you. Jordan and I are….. Well, how to put this…… well, ugh! I'll jus' come out and say it! Jordan kissed me and told me he loved me! There you happy now?!" shouted the Japanese girl with freckles. The star racer girl was taken back by this information. She didn't know what to say next. The two girls sat there for a while, thinking of what they could do to stop this war. It was a fruitless quest; neither of them came up with an answer.

Suddenly, there was a loud, KA-BOOOOOM! Screaming was heard throughout the castle. Fast paced footsteps were heard outside the door. "Eva! Eva, where are you?! Oh Gods, tell me she's safe!" was also heard.

"Aikka! Prince Aikka in here!" Eva shouted to reply to him. She opened the doors and Aikka stumbled forward. He lost his balance as he pushed on the door as she opened it. The prince fell into Eva's arms. Her tattooed face stared down upon his tanned one. "Prince Aikka are you alright?!"

"Yes I'm fine. I only lost my balance. Are you well? Say you are not injured!"

"I'm fine too Aikka, I've been in the library the whole time."

"Prince Aikka, what's going on out there?"

"Just as you said Rairiku, the humans are attacking the palace!"

"I thought so. Where are the others?"

"Tokka, Dakka, and Emimi are fending off the soldiers as well as they can while Mina is trying to come up with a strategy. The other Nourasian Knights are fighting just as hard."

"I have a feeling this isn't going to end well" Eva said grimly.

"c'mon! We've got to help! Charge!" Riri commanded. They all raced off to join the battle.

At the palace gates

"Prince Aikka had better come back with reinforcements soon or we're done for!" Emimi tried her hardest to remain calm. But that was hard to do when someone was shooting you! She dodged almost every laser. The ones she missed just barely grazed her; leaving her with only a minor cut and a slight burn around that cut.

"Do not fret Martian girl, our friends always come through for us!" Dakka almost laughed. He carefully and swiftly disarmed his opponent. Shortly after, he conked him on the head and left him on the ground.

"Let's hope so Dakka. And don't you ever call me Martian girl again! I had a bad experience with that name with the general!" Emimi forced back five soldiers in front of her and trapped them in an energy bubble. Static surrounded the sphere, shocking the men to unconsciousness. (They're not dead, they're just knocked out.) 'When the lookout announced the attack, Aikka got worried about Eva. I bet the first thing he did was go look for her.'

"Emimi! Help me!" Tokka screamed, taking the girl away from her thoughts.

With Aikka, Eva, and Riri

"We're almost to the gate!" Aikka shouted. He ran across the stone floor with tremendous speed.

"Alright! Let the battle begin!" Eva yelled. She was trying hard to keep up with the prince. Riri was traveling at equal speed with her.

Aikka, I know you can hear my thoughts. Listen closely to what I want you to do.

I'm listening Riri.

I know you don't want Eva to fight and I have a promise to Jordan that I have to keep no matter what.

What is that promise?

To protect Eva.

I see, what can I do to help?

Put a barrier up in front of the door to prevent her from coming outside. This way I'll be able to keep my promise and help fight as well. And you'll be able to keep Eva from getting hurt while at the same time protecting your home.

Brilliant!

The trio ran as fast as they could to go and help their friends. Prince Aikka was the first out the door then Riri. Eva, not so much. As soon as Riri was out the door, Aikka put up the force field in front of the door. "What the?! What happened?! I can't get out!"

"I'm truly sorry my love. But I cannot risk you getting hurt! I only ask you to stay put in the palace until this battle is over."

Eva puffed her cheeks in anger. She wanted to help and that's all she wanted to do. In her eyes Aikka didn't understand that. "Why wont you let me come?! Uggggggghhhhhhhh!" she shouted, but it was too late; prince Aikka was already gone. 'I have to find a way out! I don't want to lose you either Aikka!'

She went through many passageways but none led to the battle. "Why is this so difficult?!" she shouted to herself in the courtyard.

"Miss. Eva whom are you speaking to?" asked a gentle voice.

"Yes and for that matter, why are you here? Shouldn't you be helping our son?" another stern voice asked a bit concerned and angry. Molly whipped around to find that king Naabu and queen Lyria were in the courtyard with her.

"Yes king Naabu, I know I should be but I can't find a way out."

"What do you mean child?" Lyria asked.

"Prince Aikka locked me in, but I don't quite know my way around yet." Eva scratched the back of her head nervously.

"I see, well then, take us to the door in which Aikka has blocked." Naabu said.

"Your gonna help me? Thank you so much!" Eva gave a quick bow before running off to the doorway. The king and queen followed suit.

At the blocked doorway

"This is it." Eva managed to get out after panting roughly. Lyria and Naabu examined the doorway.

"Looks to me that our son has not been working on his containment spells very often." the queen said.

"Indeed. It's quite a low grade, an infant could put this up." Replied the king. They joined hands and faced their palms to the doorway. They waved their free hands off to the side. The force field vanished within seconds.

"Thank you so much! You won't regret it!" Eva ran passed them hoping to stop the war once and for all!!!

At the battle

"Un Sekai remnar setar!" Aikka's sword glowed a bright blue as it shot out an energy ball. He knocked down several earth soldiers.

"Well, well, looks like we meet again you stupid savage!"

"Roberts!" Aikka hissed, "I'm the stupid one? From my perspective, you are the stupid one, approaching me in person instead of cowering in fear like you have done for a while!" the general snarled as he drew his gun. Aikka quickly jumped out of the way. The laser bullet only scraped his shoulder.

"I don't miss twice kid!" he tried again but Aikka jumped out of the way yet again.

With Eva

She dodged out of the way, trying to stay out of sight. Eva was searching for Aikka to see if he needed her. She found him alright, running out of breath and almost running for his life. Aikka and general Roberts were now in hand to hand combat. But Roberts didn't play fair. He pulled a laser pistol from the back of his belt and was about to shoot.

Eva saw this and ran after him. In the process she picked up Aikka's dropped knife. She thrust the dagger into his gut. Roberts came falling to his doom. But not before he set of a shot in the air. "Prince Aikka are you alright?!"

"Molly, what are you doing here? Did I not say that I wished for you to stay safe in the palace?!"

"You did, but if I had stayed you would have been lying here dead and never being able to see me again! I can't believe that's the thanks I get from you, of all people!"

"I'm sorry Eva. I am truly grateful that you saved me yet again." Aikka pulled Eva into a strong embrace.

At another battle with the rest of the gang

"Damn it! Y'all jus keep comin' don' cha!" Emimi shouted as she shot someone in the throat. Blood was everywhere; no matter where you turned you either saw dead or dieing people.

There was a sudden BANG! Up in the sky a red light flashed. "Holy crap! That's where prince Aikka is! He could be in danger!" Riri stated.

"She's right! Men, cease battle and follow us!" Tokka said. Everyone stopped and ran towards the shot.

"Ico Otoko!" Brock heard as he saw a flash of red-orange hair.

'Huh? Riri, kid?! It can't be! She's, she, she was killed! I've gotta find out!'

"Alright you numb skulls! They're heading towards the spot where General Roberts is! Not to mention that they're the enemy, and do we Earth soldiers let the enemy get away?!"

"NO!" the squadron said loudly. They all ran after Riri, Tokka and everyone with them.

Miles ahead of the Earth coalition

Emimi was running nonstop, panting heavily as she led the group. 'Mina! If you can hear me! Something's wrong, I can feel it! I'm pretty sure Eva's escaped somehow and is with prince Aikka. They're where the gunshot was fired, I just know it! We need you!'

They had reached their destination, and so did the Earth soldiers. Some how they ended up on the other side though. (This is kind of a special affect thing. If you really think about it I'm showing the differences between the two sides.) The Earth soldiers stood in shock of what was playing before them; the Nourasian side just watched in fluffy awe. Eva and Aikka were still in their warm embrace. But that wasn't all that was surprising the Earth side. General Roberts lay on the ground barely holding onto life.

Riri stepped forward. "Look at this! This is love and happiness! And it's between enemy races! Do you really think we're all that different?! Do you see how much they love one another?! We cannot break this apart! It's eternal! Just like the peace that should be between us and once was!"

"My comrade here is right! We Nourasians are a peaceful people, and I know you humans can be as well! Let us stop this madness and live in harmony once more!" Dakka shouted to support Riri. There were several whispers from the opposing side. Then, a few soldiers came to the Nourasian side, then more and more! But a few stayed where they were.

Brock shoved passed those who were in his way. "I've gotta find out if that's the kid or not!" he whispered loudly to himself. Sure enough it was Riri, and sure enough, Brock joined her side.

"Brock! I can't believe it! You're still alive and healthy!" Riri grasped the man around the waist.

"I'm glad to see you too kid! I thought you were done for!"

"Like I said, I'm tougher than you think!"

"Rairiku! You were amazing!" Aikka shouted, now out of his embrace with Molly. Eva just smiled and told her to go into public speaking. Mina had arrived in the middle of her little spiel.

Over at General Roberts' seemingly lifeless form

The general lifted his head wearily, the laser still in his hands. "You-little-bitch! Ya think get rid o' me that easy?!" he lifted the hand with the laser and shot Eva in the back! She screamed as she plummeted to the ground.

"Lady Eva!"

"Eva!"

"Noooooo!" Aikka screamed. The General let out a hardy maniacal laugh as he died. (Serves him right that racist bastard!)

Aikka ran to Eva's body. She lay there, hanging on a small, thin strand of life. He knelt down on his knees. The prince placed his hand on her cheek; her skin grew colder by the minute. "Molly speak to me!" prince Aikka whispered loudly.

To be continued…

preview of the next chapter:

"i like being in your arms, i just never thought it would end like this"

"you can't!"

"you've got no choice princey boy!"

"she's gone."

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo! what have i done?! Eva don't go into the light! it's bad for your eyes. XD

(i'll add a short story to the last chapter if one of you guesses what Riri said.)

in the next chapter Aikka's gonna hafta take some drastic measures. And he's gonna need some help to do it! find out who and what in the exciting and concluding chapter of... JOURNEY TO NOURASIA, AN AFTER OBAN STORY!!!!!!!!!