PART 4 – RESCUE PLAN 32
Haruhi stared in amazement at the sight before her.
There stood a vast cave in front of them, towering over them with a strange aura of magic and mystery surrounding it. At first glance it seemed a perfectly normal cave, but if you moved closer you would see that it was engraved with billons of little drawings, and by further examination you would see fairy lights hung from the entrance of the cave.
Midge was now fumbling around for something in his pocket. A task that would normally be quick, but as Smudge's coat had pockets here, there and everywhere, even some pockets inside pockets it was a considerable task.
"Hope I didn't drop it on the way over here…" he muttered to himself.
Haruhi shot him a chilling glare as he carried on rummaging though his coat, re-checking each peculiar compartment.
"Have you checked your trouser pocket?" Haruhi asked irritably.
"Ahh! See, you're not Queen for nothing!" He exclaimed, pulling out a large set of keys, each oddly twisted and deformed and encrusted in rust.
"Good thing we have this lassie! Dunne no' what we'd a' done without 'er!"
Haruhi looked at him, confused.
"But it's a cave. Why do we need a key for a cave? It hasn't even got a door!"
With that Haruhi strode forward towards the mouth of the cave only to be flung back by some invisible force.
Midge was laughing hysterically. "Aye lass, that's why we need a key!"
Haruhi lay sprawled on the floor in utter confusion.
"Wha… but... that doesn't make…!"
Smidge laughed again, "Ahh don't ye' worry your wee royal head about it lass, just watch."
Midge walked towards the side of the cave and after further fumbling he stepped backwards. The cave suddenly lit with a pink glow which quickly died.
"Should be al'right to go in now... ah yep, follow me! This way, lassie!"
The moment Midge placed his foot into the cave he immediately disappeared.
"Mr Midge!" called Haruhi in alarm.
"Come on lassie, don't yee know we're outlaws? Speed it up!"
Haruhi quickly ran up to the cave, hesitated and then put her hand though the cave. She felt herself suddenly get pulled forward by her hand by some invisible force. The next moment she was staring at the huge, elaborate interior of the cave. Movement could be heard from somewhere within the cave, followed by the sound of hurried voices.
"Ahh! Smudge, I see you've finally made it back! Tell me, have you been prepared for Plan 32…" The voice stopped.
Before her stood Kyoya, frozen in shock.
"Kyoya, what's… HARUHI?!?"
Haruhi gazed around the intricate cave where more and more people were gathering, all looking at her with the same horrified expression.
There was Kyoya, the twins, Mori and Hunny, all dressed in large metal armour with crests of hearts on them.
Finally, exhausted from confusion and stress Haruhi collapsed into the floor.
"Please tell me where I am, why you're all here and what's going on. And before you start I'm NOT your Queen!"
The hosts were now buzzing around her with a mixture of excitement and fear.
"You're alive!" cried the twins. However, their jubilation was sliced short by Kyoya.
"That's not Haruhi", he said darkly. Everyone stopped and stared at him.
"But… but look at her!" cried Kaoru angrily, "How can it not be her! It's her, she's alive!"
Tears were trickling down Hikaru's face. "It is her!" he said in a demanding tone.
Kyoya shook his head once more. "It is her, well Haruhi anyway, but it is not ourHaruhi." The room was now a deadly silence as everyone focused on Kyoya. He walked over to Haruhi and offered her his hand, she took it and stood up next to him, bewildered.
"As we all know, the wizard Nekozawa who pops in for tea and crumpets on Fridays comes from an alternate universe. Where you two went that time" he said, looking at the twins. "And got those fairy-light things"
The twins smiled nostalgically, "Ah, I remember that, we scared them all by pretending Fred was a toy and then making him jump at people"
"Ah, I love that elf" replied Kaoru, still smiling.
Kyoya carefully slid his glasses back up his nose before shooting them a chilling glare and continued talking.
"Well I understood from his subtle hints that in that universe too, there is considerable disarray. Like in our world, at the same time, there was also a death, but in their case it was Tamaki, not Haruhi, who passed away."
No one spoke so Kyoya took it as a hint to continue.
"I must explain the situation to Alternate-Haruhi. When our Haruhi was murdered by Vernis, Tamaki was then locked up. It was the obvious solution, as Tamaki still has to lawfully denounce his kingship at the coronation, an event with is taking place tomorrow, at the great ball if I'm not mistaken. Then Tamaki will be murdered and our universe will be in the hands of Lord Vernis".
Everyone snarled again and Midge shouted "Never!" loudly.
"Now, from what Nekozawa has told me, in Alternate-Haruhi's world, Tamaki died, and Haruhi did not take it very well. From this, I can deduct he has sent her to aid with Rescue Plan 32 and probably also to complete some unfinished business of hers, am I not mistaken, Haruhi?" Kyoya said knowingly.
Haruhi thought back to that time at the graveyard, the things she wanted to say. She nodded weakly, still trying to absorb all this new information.
Suddenly the silent tension was broken by a loud roaring sound.
Haruhi leaped in fear. "What was that?!" she exclaimed.
Kyoya looked vaguely irritated but Hunny smiled brightly, "Keep at it, Gavin! You can do it!"
Haruhi looked around in confusion.
"Gavin?"
Loud stomping now filled the cave, the vibrations making the floor and walls rumble and small segments fell from the top. In the depths of the cave, Haruhi could see a large silhouette of a huge four-legged creature getting steadily larger and larger as the rumbling sound got louder.
There in front of them all stood what was apparently Gavin. A colossal pink dragon, with a long, stretched neck and small yellow spikes all the way down his back. He was now flinging its tail around much like an overexcited dog does, causing more rubble to crumble off the wall.
"Stop it, Gavin" Mori said quietly, patting Gavin's leg. Gavin ceased immediately.
"Gavin... this isn't our Haruhi!..." yelped Midge, as Gavin was charging towards the terrified Haruhi.
Gavin nodded but didn't seem to care. He galloped up to Haruhi and with a small flick of the neck had managed to swing her up onto his back. Haruhi screamed and clung on to him in terror before he lowered his neck again and allowed Haruhi to slide off.
Hunny bounded towards him and started to pet his nose.
"Still no luck with fire-breath, Gavin?"
Gavin looked down pitifully and the alternate-universe hosts smiled at him.
"Don't worry, Gav! You'll manage it!" At that, Gavin began to wag his large spiky tail once more but one look from Mori stopped him.
Kyoya gave a loud cough and everyone focused on him once again, including Gavin who dutifully sat and sniffed around.
"As I was saying... Tomorrow, Tamaki will be forced to denounce the throne and then, most likely on the spot, will be murdered. Are you all ready for Rescue Mission 32?!"
"32?" Haruhi whispered to Mori who happened to be nearby.
He nodded solemnly, "On each mission, there's always been a slight hitch" he admitted sheepishly.
Kyoya looked sternly at Haruhi, "Haruhi, will you join us?"
"It's all your fault..."
"This is my chance to return the favour!"
"Yes."
