There and Back again

SD: I hate school...

GA1: No you just hate dances.. and admit it you had fun.

SD: Homecoming preparation is EVIL!

GA1: - P

Disclaimer: ……How many times must we go through with this? If we owned Vision of Escaflowne, do you THINK we would be here writing this fanfic instead of working on a sequel and a few more movies? Thought so, though we do own our own respective characters.

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 girl's 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

xXxXxXx ;scene change

italic; vision

XoX ; Flashback

Chpt. 12 Cheerleader Wannabe

How can one stand to see stalls selling fish, jewelry, material for clothing, and other goods for an hour and a half? Aiko sighed; they had been walking around the market place more than an hour and a half. Every step she took, her legs threatened to collapses from sheer exhaustion. Looking at Millerna, Aiko shook her head sadly. She looked like a child at a toyshop at Christmas time. How the hell can she do it? It must come with being a Princess... Looking over her shoulder, she could see Ayane, who hadn't said a word since they left the Castle. Van was a little further back behind them as they walked down the busy streets.

"Aya, how much longer are we gonna stay here?!" Aiko asked, trying not to sound like she was complaining. She couldn't help it. Her feet had gone numb a while ago, and now her legs were starting to go as well. Ayane dismissed her question as she stopped to look at a stall with different kinds of clothing material. A, leave it to Ayane to find the best out of every situation. Tired but grateful for the stop, she followed her through the busy crowd. Merle, who had been walking next to Ayane, answer any questions Ayane would have very now and then went about looking at the stuff with her. Was it just her, or did it seem like Merle liked Ayane, and yet hated her from some strange reason?

xVxVxVxVx

Van slowed down his pace when he realized that the women in front of him had finally stopped. Millerna was off looking at some jewelry while the other three stood around a small fabric stall. Allen had some how managed to get out of this ordeal last minute, with a note that was delivered to Millerna before they left. Again, the man had a strange sense of humor. This was NOT something Van truly enjoyed. Hell, shopping was probable the least thing men liked doing in the whole world. Every time Merle did this to him, Van got out of it easily by getting her something shiny and new that distracted her long enough for them to get back to the castle. Now, for the past hour and a half, Van had been completely bored out of his mind. Well, no that he didn't enjoy the view from standing back here, it was just his feet were beyond sore. Stopping so that he wasn't to far off to watch the three girls standing around the one stall, he looked about his surroundings slowly.

Austria was built on the sea edge, giving it not only a beautiful surrounding, but also made Austria a very wealth country from all the trades conducted here. The glitter of the blue sea gave it an almost sapphire liking, except; Van didn't care for that stone. He missed the lushes green forests that surrounded not only the castle, but also the city itself. An emerald, that's what Millerna had called Fanelia. Though, Van snarled slightly, she also talked about his 'dead' brother. Trying to keep his mind off his brother, Van turned his attention to the three girls. Merle was smiling at something Ayane had said; pointing out some fabric he couldn't see from here. Aiko on the other hand, looked like she was going to kill Merle at whatever it was. Ayane just smiled slightly at the cat girl, and turned her attention to something else. Was it him, or was Aiko the mild tempered one? When he first met them, Van had thought that her 'Perfect mannered' act was just that, an act. But, from what he could see, Aiko, the one that looked to be more quiet, was actually the mild tempered one, were Ayane might explode any minute from being so nice.

Van did sort of like Aiko better, for that. At least he knew that she would speak her mind, even if it could cause trouble. Ayane on the other hand, even through her niceness, seemed to not really speak what she thought. More like riddles that twisted your own words around, making you find your own answer instead of her helping you. She also seemed... a bit more 'dark' then Aiko for some reason. A headache made him push the thought aside and look around again. He wasn't looking for anything particular just anything interesting enough to keep him awake, and not trying to figure out his two companions. Sometime silver flickered in his eyesight, and Van found himself staring at to soldiers dressed in a familiar silver armor. The Zaibach guards, he stared in disbelief. How could they get here so fast? Mind spinning in questions, Van nearly missed it as the two men suddenly came to attention, and bowed as someone in a cloak passed him. Blue hair flickered in the sea breeze. Without a word, Van started forward, pushing past Princess Millerna as she turned around to see him making his way through the crowd.

"Van!" Her voice was lost to his ears as he continued to run towards the bridge.

xVxVxVxVx

"Pink? Na, not really your color Merle." Ayane said. They were all oblivious to world around them as they looked through the fabrics.

"What do you mean, 'not my color'? My hair is Pink, Ayane..." the cat girl rolled her eyes as Ayane picked up a tan piece of cloth looking through it.

"I noticed. But still, tans, and browns may work together better, then pink. To much pink can make... quiet an eye sour." Aiko watched Van as he ran down the street. Now where could he be going? She shook her head as she tried to listen to Ayane and Merle. Though it wasn't working very well. Why do I care? Running would just hurt my feet even more... All of a sudden, Aiko gasped.

Van was standing alone in blackness void when a blue lighting bolt shattered the darkness around him, and struck him.

Uneasied by the vision that played before her eyes, Aiko looked for Van, but couldn't see him. Damn it... I gotta find him before something bad happens... Taking off in the last direction she had seen him go, she ran as fast as her skirts would let her before they got on her nerves. She stopped, ripped them off, and continued running. Ayane turned her head slightly as she watched Aiko run off into the crowd, past a confused princess. Merle just snorted, as she continued to stand next to her.

"Where's she going in such a hurry? All she's gonna do is get her self lost..." Ayane looked down at the back material that was in her hands, and frown. The cat girl just turned her attention to her and suddenly became confused. The look on her face was empty, as if she wasn't aware of what was going on around her. "Hey, Ayane...are you ok?"

"He's in trouble!" was all Ayane said as she to bolted in the direction that Aiko had run off, passed a now very confused princess, and leaving an even more confused Merle behind.

"Who's he? You mean Van-dono?!!" The cat girl sprinted off after her, before Ayane could disappear into the crowd like Aiko. Millerna just stood aside as each girl ran passed her, chasing after the young king.

"Those three girls are... very strange..."

xXxXxXxXx

"But Dilandau-sama, Folken-sama said not to leave the Vione!" Shesta said as he ran down the catwalk trying to keep up with his general's Alseides as it made is way to the open hanger door. He could hear his commander's voice laughing inside the unit.

"O, but my dear Shesta, whoever said anything about LEAVING the Vione?" Dilandau licked his lips as he set the Alseides down near the edge of the hanger and lifted up the left arm. O yes, it was pay back time, there was no way in hell he was going to pass this chance up to pay back the young king. If Folken had a problem with it, well boo hoo. He flicked the switch for one of the crima claws. The water around him shook from the vibration of the small piece of metal moving out, ready to be launched.

"Dilandau-sama!" He could hear his second-in-command yelling for his attention, but he wouldn't give it as he let all the power of the Alseides unit pour into the once claw. Pulling down the scope with his free hand, he began to magnify the harbor area of the city. Here little Van, show me your pretty little face!

xXxXxXxXx

"A war to end all wars?" Van said slowly, as he stared down at his brother from the wooden bridge he stood on. Below him moved the current of a small stream moved quickly out as it headed out into the ocean. How long had he been standing here listening to the words of his traitorous elder brother, and when had he started to believe them? Were these the false promises that Zaibach had fed him so that he would help them destroy Fanelia? His hands balled into fists as he looked down at the wooden laid bridge, fighting back his anger.

"Join me brother," Folken was saying, these words cutting through the anger and frustration that coursed through his veins. He looked up again at the blue haired figure standing in front of the black carriage. Folken's arms were spread apart; the light now glittered off the metallic right arm that the dragon had torn off. "And see what Zaibach has to offer. Help me to end the sorrow of our world!"

"Van! Look out!" Aiko voice yelled, Van turned away from his brother in surprise to see the woman running towards him form the alley behind him. She pushed him out of the way just before the silver line hit the spot where he had been standing. Aiko was on her hands and knees panting heavily trying to catch her breath. When she looked up at Van with a question in her eyes, all Van could do was blink in surprise of her action, but more from the small hole that the crima claw had left on the bridge. Aiko's legs felt completely numb from the run, and her arms were already tired from holding her body up. Footsteps could be heard, and Merle ran up to Van and hugged him.

"Oh Van-dono, I was sooooo worried!!!" Clinging to him as if he were her lifeline, she hugged him tighter. Aiko looked over her shoulder and saw Ayane walking upon the bridge. She shook her head sadly as she continued to catch her breathe. Stopping by the small hole that was now on the bridge, Ayane looked at her friend as she flopped down on her side from the race to beat time, Aiko wasn't in the best of shape for all of this running. Merle was licking the side of Van's face as he stared confused and surprise at the hole were he once was standing. Sadly Ayane looked up at Lord Folken as he too shook off his own startled ness. It took him a moment to realize someone else was there besides the girl who had just pushed Van out of the way, and the cat girl. His maroon eyes met hers for a moment before he bowed his head slightly. Ayane returned the motion, but in a small curtsey. Snapping out of his shock, Van turned to face his brother as he slowly stood up again, in anger.

"I see. This is how Zaibach operates!"

"This was not my intention..." Was all that Folken said, turning his head slightly to look off in the direction of the Vione. Balling his hands in to fists again, Van glared at his elder brother, Merle blinking in confusion at the man that stood across from them.

"Is that all you have to say, brother?" Merle's ear popped up at the word, and she looked at Van shocked, mouth hung opened. Aiko sat up a bit to get a better look at the man she saw on the Floating Fortress. He and Van didn't look a whole lot a like. Oblivious to everyone, but Folken himself who saw her take steps backwards, Ayane nearly fell down in disbelieve. Folken is Van's elder brother? Before Folken had a chance to even answer his brother's question, the echoing sound of running foot steps made all their heads turn in the direction back into the city. Palace guards came running up the wooden bridge and quickly surrounded them. Oblivious to Van, who had now turned his attention to this new problem, Folken stepped inside the small black carriage, but not before taking one last look of Ayane's face. She stared down at the ground unaware of the world around her as something ran through her mind.

"Greeting Van de Fanel, king of all Fanelia. King Aston requests your presences. Please follow us." One of the palace guards said.

xXxXxXxXx

They stood on the stone steps of a coliseum, over looking the open arena area. Van stood outside of the Escaflowne's cockpit, looking up at the king of Austria, who was sitting on a covered area just above them. Aiko was leaning against the stonewall looking out at Van, slightly interested in what was going on. Ayane on the other had sat on the steps next to her, staring down at her hands that lay in her lap. She had been like that since the bridge thing. Merle was standing behind her, not looking very happy at what was going on. Neither did Allen who stood a few steps down from them with Millerna at his side.

"Welcome, King of Fanelia," King Aston was saying, not that Aiko was actually listening to the man, "My country welcomes you with joy in its heart, and as proof of our friendship, I will like to put to the test your skills, and power of your Guymelef, Escaflowne."

"Don't worry Allen; I'm sure father knows exactly what he is going." Millerna had said to Allen, though her words did nothing to change the expressions on his face. Van moved back into the Escaflowne's cockpit, Aiko could see his lips move as he mumbled something before it closed. Three doors around the area slowly opened, revealing the guymelefs that were behind them. Allen's eyes widen as he recognized the first to set out on the field.

"That's Sajima's Guymelef! He's no knight." Allen said; Ayane lifted her head up, as she slowly came back into the world around her. "He's nothing but a bounty hunter who fights for money!" Aiko looked at Allen before looking back at Van.

"That's ok...I'm sure Van can handle it... From what I've seen he can handle almost anything..." Mumbling to herself, Aiko leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms. She could hear the king speaking to his advisor, but couldn't quiet catch the words.

xVxVxVxVx

"The rumors of its magnificence were certainly not exaggerated..." King Aston's advisor said as the king leaned back in his chair folding his hands in front of him. "I'm overjoyed to see an Ispano Guymelef with my own two eyes."

"You'll be satisfied with just seeing it, Meiden?" King Aston said, looking over at his advisor. Meiden just laughed.

"It sets my merchant blood a boil." He leaned forward, eyes on the white Guymelef. "Still... You can't tell a Melef's worth until you see it in combat." Then he turned his head sharply to look at the king. "I must say, I'm not satisfied with having those criminals fight him. Wouldn't having Allen fight him be better?" King Aston just huffed as he sat straighter in his chair.

"Allen will have to wait his turn." He then leaned forward again smiling. "Just wait and see how my way works out."

xVxVxVxVx

Van growled as he looked at the Melef in front of him, this was proof of friendship? Then what was the proof of being enemies, a party? He heard the creak of a door behind him, slightly moving he could see another Guymelef step out. Then another appeared to his left. Was this King Aston's little plan? Great, just what he needed, another fight to terrorize Aiko and Ayane. He had already seen from the battle of Fanelia, Aiko didn't take to well with fights and Ayane... Wasn't a person he wanted to find out. Why did they have to attend this damn thing to!? Gripping down on the controls, he shot a glance were they stood. Aiko was no longer against the wall; she was now standing by a slowly rising Ayane, neither of them looked very happy.

"Great, lovely.. Just what I need..."

xVxVxVxVx

Aiko watched as two other guymelefs appeared behind Van.

"Oh for heaven's sake..."Aiko threw her arms up in the air to express her point. "Three on one isn't fair; even if it is a 'Token of Friendship' I highly doubt that King Aston would want a dead friend..." Rolling her eyes, she glanced over at the Austrian king, and his advisor. "And besides, they look just a little too happy about this match..." Ayane stood up next to her, brushing off the dirt from her skirt. Allen was looking over his shoulder at them, a hint to keep their voices a bit down so that they wouldn't get into trouble. Merle helped by smacking Aiko on the back of the head. Growling, she glared at the cat girl, who only waved her hand in the air.

"This is pointless..."Ayane's voice mumbled the tone of it not so friendly. Aiko glared at Merle again before turning her attention back to the match. Nodding, she crossed her arms over her chest and watched the other three guymelefs as they waited for the battle to begin.

"I just don't understand why he has to fight. Wouldn't holding a ball or something be a lot better? Even though the thought of a ball makes me shiver..." Aiko said quietly. The first guymelef that appeared stepped forward, beginning the match. For a while it seemed that Van was holding his own well, after a few minutes, Merle cling to Ayane's arm. For some reason, the feeling Aiko had before still hung around her now, did that vision mean more then just that one thing? A sudden 'click' snapped her out of her thoughts. Looking over her shoulder at her friend, she could see Merle clinging to her right arm, but in her left at she held a familiar little lighter with a small flame flickering above it.

"O, Aiko, the holy lighter is speaking to you." Aiko raised her eyebrow as her friend smiled at her.

"...O...k...And why would the O so Holy Lighter want to speak to me?" She asked looking sideways at Ayane. Flicking the lighter shut again, and then relighting in Ayane looked out onto the field.

"It dares you to cheer for Van-sama like one of those preppy cheerleader girls at school..." The flame flickered in the evening wind, as the sun set beyond the sea. "Do you accept the dare of the Holy Lighter, or do I get to burn your compass as compensation for not taking the dare?" Aiko glared at her so hard an army of men could have been at least scared of her.

"Wait! I wasn't finished.." Aiko let out the deep breath and turned around to face her.

"What else..." She smiled at her innocently. If there was ever a smile that Aiko hated with a passion, it was that one.

"You have to do the dance to...In front of EVERYBODY!" Aiko could have sworn her jaw hit the concrete.

"Why you little……!" Aiko practically yelled at Ayane, her cheeks redder then a tomato. She just waved her hand in the air, now free of the lighter. "Remind me to kill you while you are sleeping Ayane..." Aiko retorted as a blush rose to her cheeks. She looked at Ayane one more time before taking a deep breath.

"You could always let me burn you compass..."She glared at Ayane, so hard, that if looks could kill, she would have died 100 times over. Aiko stomped down the stairs. With one last glared at Ayane before going down the stairs so that she was in front of Millerna and Allen, Aiko cusred. Ayane is going to die a thousand deaths when I'm done with this... Taking a deep breath, she thought of something real quick. I can't believe I'm doing this...

"Gimme a V, Gimme an A, Gimme a N. What's that spell? VAN!!! GOOOOO VAN!!!!" Aiko rushed back towards the wall, but Millerna gave her a weird look. "Don't ask..." Aiko growled as she found her wall, which was now in shadows. She glared at Ayane. "Good enough for your precious lighter?"

"Needs work... But look Van won." Ayane just smiled as she pointed off onto the arena, the Escaflowne was slipping its sword out of the last Melef's energist chamber, and the other two Melef's lay on the ground defeated. Merle, who was now not cling to her arm anymore, was staring at Aiko with her jaw half opened. A small smile played at Ayane's lips as she looked back over had her friend in the shadows, a small chuckle escaped her lips. "I never thought you'd really do it... That was funny Aiko, you should become a cheerleader." Aiko glared at Ayane as she leaned against the wall.

"I only did it because I want to keep my compass..." The only way you could tell she was there was because of the white material on her dress. "And NO, I DON'T want to become a snot nose whore who thinks she's perfect..."

"Interesting..."

xVxVxVxVx

"I can see why Zaibach has an interest in this Guymelef, you highness.." Meiden said as he leaned back in his chair. King Aston just nodded as he watched the young king step out of the Guymelef's cockpit.

"It would have been better if he had killed them though..."

"Then you wouldn't have had to pay them?" The Austria king snorted in irritation "Back to the matter at hand, do you think it will be wise to hide it?"

"It will surely fetch a pretty penny, Meiden... We can always take a little advantage of our allies can't we, and besides, that wasn't the only thing Folken-sama expressed interest in having turned over to Zaibach." His advisor's ears seemed to perk up in interest as King Aston looked down at the three girls closes. The tallest was hiding in the shadows waving her fist at the shorter one in the back dress. A cat girl clung to this ones arm nearly falling over laughing. The shorter girl just smiled and said something to her anger friend, which only made her angrier. The blond Austria knight walked up to the two, drawling the short ones attention to him.

"That girl as well?" Meiden asked as he followed his king's glaze. "I wonder why..."

SD: I can't believe you made me write that...

GA1: I can... do you know how fun that is?

SD: You...are EVIL

GA1: just smiles

Editing: 11/19/06