There and Back again

SD: Bla... School is evil, why can't we have...like a year of summer?

GA1: One, stop stealing my words... and two if they did that, then your brain would be nothing but mush.

SD: -.-

GA1: O don't give me that look...

SD: Death...

GA1: STOP STEALING MY WORDS!

SD: Evil I am as evil as one can!

Ga1:...You know what... If you don't stop doing that right now... I for see some big fluffy pink dresses in Aiko's near future...

SD: Stares at GA1 bugged eyed NOOOOO! runs off

GA1: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA!

Disclaimer: I swear by the hairs on my chinny chin chin that I do not own Escaflowne, and that the little muse in the building over ate my brother's dinner. Please do not sue us for the misuse of 'my chinny chin chin', or Escaflowne. We do how even own out respective characters, and changes in the plot line.

Spirit Dancer: Aiko, Shiva

Glass Angel1: Ayane, Fira, Merlin, the Providence Children, and any other character that I must create for the production of this story.

All rights reserved

Summary:

Not just an ordinary retelling of Escaflowne. Two girls wish away their lives of family abuse, only to find their wish answered. Destiny plays its hands hard as these two friends find themselves caught up in a war of a world they barely know, only to be torn apart along the way. Will they be able to overcome their trouble pasts, and save this new world for its own destruction? Or will their pasts become its means of destruction?

Category: Action/Adventure/Romance

xVxVxVxVx; same place different point of view

xXxXxXxXx; scene change

italic; vision

GA1 Note: Yes, for the one who loving flamed. I know the title "There and Back again" is from the LOTR. That was, in fact, not on my mind when I named this story. The Title has much to do with the plot line that I have so carefully went through to create. Unfortunately, this is not a story were I can magically pick up where I begin the plot line change. This story is different from that of the original series; I have changed much of the character characteristics, as long as who is the final out come in enemies. But, to get to all of this, We have to work through the beginning to get to the more changes. So quit being such a 'o this is just like one of them' things. I do not like writing story that have similar plot lines to other stories. I have a habit of creating my own plots, and working through them. My story 'To Tame a Beast' is an original story of its self. SD's 'Spirits Within' is an original (Even if you wish to get into it, the title can also be related to Final Fantasy: Spirits Within, but again. Story titles come from what the writer choose. It is not their fault if it is also the name of something else. Writers care if the title fits the story. Whether or not you understand that. Would you have rater I called it, Moonless Night? A title that has absolutely nothing to do with the plot line?) This is something that has taken me a lot of time on my part to create.

And as for spelling? No one is perfect. I can run my errors through this computer a billion of times and they will not be caught. I can only check over and over again to make sure things are not misspelled so many times before I give my self a bigger headache from the one I already have from Pre-Cal and Physics. English (or well spelling) has never be one of my strongest subject. So bite at me one more time for spelling.. and see how well I bit back... -.-

And Aiko and Ayane are not Mary Sues. Ayane's part in this story maybe a tad been more serious the Aiko's because of the Author typing difference. Each author has they're own way of typing.

SD: For those of you who that didn't apply to, don't worry. GA1 is not having the greatest of weeks and has been edgy the past few days. Very...very...very edgy.

Chpt. 6 Perverts and Play Boys

Dilandau leaned back his throne, swirling the small wine glass in his hand. He watched the set of boys that sat round the small room, all engrossed in whatever the little game Dallet had manage to get going. Next to him stood Shesta, leaning back against the dragon statue that loomed behind his throne. Waiting for orders was starting to get annoying. They had departed that morning from the ruins of the small country he had burn and now were heading towards the country of Austria. Chasing what seemed to be the one place the dragon could have gone to. But, still they were waiting orders of how to commence; they were already less then a mile out from the closest Austria fort, commanded by no one other then Austria's best knight, Allen Schezar. Austria's best? Ya, right, the knight had so many rumors around him that it was that the thought that he could actually use a sword was, well, amusing. Though, if he was yet to see whether or not these 'rumors' held any ground. Dilandau wasn't particular one to trust them; there were a few about him back in Zaibach that held no ground to be true. Yet, this man had so many hanging from his head that one had to begin to wonder. An image of the girl popped into his mind, the gray eyes looked at him in surprise. Cursing himself for suddenly thinking of her, he banished the image.

"A, read them a weep, kiddies! Full house!" Dallet cried out in victory, tossing his cards onto the floor where they sat. He moved forward together his reward. "That means all this candy is mine!"

"A, wait a second.." Guimel smacked his hand back, and placed his cards down, an innocent smile on his face. "If I remember right, a royal flush beats a full house."

"What, No! Guimel you suppose to be on my side!" Dilandau fought to control his laugher. It was funny to watch his men back stab each other when it came down to betting candy (given that they couldn't get away with betting pay). There was a commotion among them that he was listening to that he didn't hear Gatty come into the room.

"Orders from the capital, sir." Silence filled the room, as each of their heads turned to look at the first in command. Dilandau set his glass down on the armrest of the chair and leaned forward.

"What are they?"

"We are to infiltrate the Austria fort, and see if the dragon is hiding with in. The dragon's shadow has not traveled any farther from this point." Gatty read off from the small scroll in his hands.

"O dear lord, we aren't staying there are we, Dilandau-sama?" Miguel asked, Dilandau could see his brownish red hair from the group on the floor.

"What's wrong, Miguel?" Viole's voice chipped. "Don't wish to mingle with the masses?"

"No! Especially not... " Miguel began to retort but stopped when he realize Dilandau was watching him. Pity, he actually wanted to hear Miguel's remark.

"Especially what?" Viole pushed him.

"I think I know what.." Guimel smiled. "This fort doesn't have running water, like most of the countries now in days,"

"What? You're kidding me?" Viole blinked, surprised, though whether he was faking it or not wasn't clear.

"Nope."

"Gross, that's unsanitary..."

"Welcome to the world outside of Zaibach, Viole..." Dilandau stood up, trying not to laugh at Guimel's remark, and stretched slightly. The look on Viole's face was priceless.

"Guimel, you forgot to mention the rats and flees." Dilandau said smoothly, as he walked across the floor.

"O yeah I was getting to those..."

"Would you two stop it!" Miguel shouted, Dilandau couldn't suppress the chuckle. He could feel Miguel's glare. "Glad to know I amuse you, Dilandau-sama..."

"Shesta," Dilandau started, ignoring Miguel's remark, "Order the Vione out of stealth and everyone down into the hangers. We're going down in our guymelefs!"

xXxXxXxXx

Aiko leaned back against the bed and looked out the window. That was the most interesting conversation she ever took part of, ya right. She frowned looking at the linens, all Allen did was probable make Van feel worse, his whole country was distorted and now his people were scattered. Looking off into the small room the two had been put in, she could see him staring off at nothing particular. His back was up against the wall, and his sword rested on his shoulder. At least Allen gave him back that, but he would continue to with hold the Escaflowne, and not allow them to leave. This meant, no finding Ayane, even though Van hadn't mention one thing about her when they were speaking to Allen. When, though, Aiko had made the mistake of blurting out that she was from the Mystic Moon, smart idea on her part, Van had been very careful at what he told him. Maybe Van didn't really trust the guy, even though he seemed to recognize his name. Sighing, Aiko went back to staring out the window.

Van tilted his head up and looked at the girl who sat on the bed. The dress she was in was tether and torn, he kind of wished she hadn't lost her bag that probably held a change of clothing. He looked down again at the floor, he also felt kind of bad that her friend wasn't with them. The poor girl could be anywhere, lost in this world that neither of them knew much about. Looking down at one of his boots, Van stared puzzled at a small bump in the side of one. Then he remembered the small rectangular little piece of metal that he had slipped in there that was actually a weapon. He took it out and stood up, it was best he gave the girl something to protect herself with. Van hadn't a clue what to do with the thing anyways.

"Hey Aiko.." Aiko turned around with a blank face.

"Ya?"

"Do you know how to use this?" He waved the silver rectangle in the air, Aiko's eyes light up at the sight of it. She grabbed it from him. It took him a few minutes to realize that it was missing.

"YES!" She shouted happily. She danced around the room holding it in the air. She looked at the ceiling. "Oh god someone up there loves me!" She said as she hugged the little rectangle. Running up to Van again, she hugged him without thinking, "Thank you so much!" Hugging him tighter, for the first time, Van saw her smiling; a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Aiko danced out to the window and fingered the knife as if it were a gold piece. Van blinked, little startled. He wasn't sure if that smile was a good thing, or the way she was dancing around with the knife was a bad thing. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything about it; she was starting to scare him a little.

"Aiko...are you...ok?" Aiko looked up at him with the same smile.

"Am I ok? I'm fine!" She gave him the biggest smile she could muster, which wasn't very big since she's not used to smiling. She ran up and gave him another hug." Thanks so much." Falling back onto the bed, Aiko pushed the small button on the bottom of the rectangular box and made the blade come out. "Hehehehehehehe…yes…oh thank you god…" She hugged it again, heedless of her own safety as the blade came close to her neck. She kissed the handle and began once again to dance around with it.

"Aiko..." Van started to say; maybe it was time he took the thing back before she hurt herself. But, he was a little to slow, as the castle suddenly shook. The sudden movement startled them both, and Aiko let go of the blade. However, because of the end being the lightest part, the blade flipped on its way down to the floor, scraping her left arm. Blood graced the blade as it hit the floor. Aiko stared at it before a smile grew across her face.

"SCORE! I DID IT WITHOUT EVEN TRYING!" She laughed as the blood made its way down to her elbow, and dripped onto the floor, most likely staining it. Aiko clenched her teeth as a wave of pain passed, but she didn't care. And no ones here to stop me this time, and Ayane can't get all over me this time cause it wasn't my fault! She thought happily.

"Aiko!" Van yelled as the blood dropped off her arm. Quickly slipping out the small cloth that was in his pocket, he took her arm. Aiko just blinked him confused as he wiped the blood away, revealing the small wound that the knife had made. In was barely a few centimeters long, but it had cut over the vein explaining the rush of blood. Using the small piece of cloth, Van wrapped it tightly around it. "Change that I'm not letting keep it if you're going to cut yourself."

"But I didn't do it! The castle moved and I dropped it!" She cried as he bandaged her arm. "Please! I won't do it any more... I promise." Not with that one anyway. Ayane's already gonna kill me cause she'll see blood on it. Once it was bandaged, all that was left of the wound was a small red spot that was on the cloth.

"Playing around with it, counts too." Van sighed and looked out the window. There looming outside of fort walls was a floating fortress of Lava stones. "What the hell?"

Allen's men mostly blocked their view of what was going on, but from where she stood, Aiko could see the banners raised up above everyone's' head. She didn't know what it meant, but she could tell that part of the black crest was a dragon. Someone was talking but she wasn't quiet sure what he looked like. From peaking through some of the holes that would from when the men moved, she could tell that the man had whitish silver hair, and that he was in a black and red uniform.

"We would be more then happy to supply our Ally with what you request." She heard Allen say, another hole formed, and Aiko got a good look at one of the men holding up one of the banners. The blond didn't look much older then she was, did armies here really start training at such a young age? "But, if I may ask, why is a Zaibach fortress doing out here?"

"We are on our why back to the capital." The silver hair man responded.

"You wouldn't happen to be returning from destroying the country Fanelia, would you Dilandau-sama?" O so silver man has a name now? Dilandau... sounds funny. Aiko thought to herself, Van was still trying to get a good look at the man.

"Fanelia? You mean that backwater little country? Why would the Zaibach Empire have an interest in that place? It was probable burned down by the dragons that infest its forests. And besides the king is such a coward that he probable ran away." He did not just say that! Aiko cried, as she watched Van push forward through the crowd. Quickly she followed him. Breaking through the last line of men; Aiko got her first good look at the man known as Dilandau. As if silver hair wasn't weird, the man had a set of shocking rude red eyes, along with a maniac smile the touched his lips. If it hadn't been for Ayane, Aiko would have thought this boy to be the palest person she ever saw.

"It's cowardly, when your enemy can't see you..." Van retorted, this drew Dilandau's attention away from Allen to him. He regarded Van for only a second, and then looked at her. For a moment he studied her, puzzled by something, before walking up to her to take a better look.

"Not having a good hair day are we?" Aiko stared at him in shock before her eyes flared up.

"You BASTARD!" She yelled at him and attempted to slap him, but he caught her hand. She tried to wiggle free of it, but his grip was like metal. For a second, she looked at his arm, and stared at the pendant chocker that he had wrapped around his hand "Isn't...that...Ayane's...pendant...?" She whispered to him, staring at the pendant. She lifted up the hand that had gotten cut earlier, the red stain still fresh on the cloth, to touch it. Then without thinking, she kicked him as hard as she could in the shin. Ha! Take that bastard! He didn't move at from the attack, it didn't even seem to faze him. His red eyes studied her from a moment and then looked to Van again before letting her hand go, a small smirk replace the smile that was once on this face.

"Dragonslayers, back to your guymelefs..." He shouted as he walked down between the two perfect lines. "And Dallet put your knife up; she's not worth the effort." Aiko stared in a stunned silence at the backs of the retreating soldiers for a few seconds until they all filed out of the room. One boy, with almost shoulder length chestnut hair, tucked a small dagger into its sheath before following his line. As soon as they all left, she got over her shock and her eyes flared up.

"That bastard! Let me at him!" She shouted as she started to run out the door. Though before she could even take three steps in that direction, Van grabbed her arm, and held her in place.

"You were lucky. That's the first time that one of his men didn't put a sword to your neck, Aiko..." Allen sighed as he walked over to them.

"I do-"Aiko started to say but Van covered her mouth. Allen looked at her for a moment and then to Van as he shook his head at some thought. Deciding it would be better not to ask, Allen continued without taking notice of her cut remark.

"I thought I told you two to say out of sight." Aiko yanked Van's hand off of her mouth.

"I only came here cause I was making sure that Van didn't get into trouble" She said sending him a side-glance. Looking back at Allen, she continued. "Then that bastard had to run his mouth...and...and..." She suddenly got quiet; it was probable better not to continue this. Van wasn't giving her a very good look.

SD: HAHAHA! Perverts and Playboys! HAHAHAHA I am such a genesis!

GA1?

SD: O come on, even you have to admit that was great!

GA1: ...?

SD: -.- You know... playing stupid can only go so far...

GA1: ...?

SD: THAT'S IT? You...are...SOOOOOOO annoying me! stomps off

GA1: waits for her to leave Evil I am...as evil as one can! Skips off smiling while waving a lighter around

Edited 11/16/06