(A/N: 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.' – The Shining. Ok, so my names not Jack, but the same rules apply. I've been working a lot this week, so sorry for the delay. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Hope you like it. And if you haven't found the important factor I mentioned, you're about to find out what it is. Well, at the end of the chapter you will.)

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter 16: Countdown to Disaster

"How you doing on oxygen?" Asbel asked.

Nausicaä looked at the amount her tank had left. She gulped nervously, seeing that she had less than half. "Enough not to worry." She said, not daring to tell him the truth.

Asbel gave her a look. "Nausicaä, how much?"

"There's plenty left!" she insisted. "Lets stop talking and keep moving."

Not much had been said between them. They wanted to conserve as much clean air as they had, and not waste it by talking. There only hope was to find an oxygen cavern before their supply ran out.

'No!' Nausicaä thought. 'It can't run out! We have to make it! If we don't, everyone will be at Ved's mercy! He has to be stopped!'

Even as she thought this, she was losing hope. Already breathing was becoming difficult. Could two hours really have gone by so fast? Things were looking pretty grim.

Asbel was having similar thoughts, but he was determined to get Nausicaä out of here. He was not going to let her die here. Nausicaä deserved to have a full life. She shouldn't be in these life-threatening situations. She should be happy and free, flying through the air, playing with the children, talking with the insects, exploring-

Then it came to Asbel. The insects. They could help. They had to help. Nausicaä was the Guide. She had a special connections with the insects. Of course they would help her.

"Nausicaä!"

She jumped, surprised by Asbel suddenly calling her name. "Huh? What?"

"The insects!"

"They won't hurt us."

Asbel shook his head impatiently. "No, no, I mean they can help us. Do you have your insect charm?"

Nausicaä nodded and reached for the small object. "Right here."

"Call them. They can help."

Nausicaä's eyes widened in understanding. She began swinging around the small charm. A howling noise emitted from the small object as it whirled through the air.

"Come to think of it," she said, "I haven't seen any insects since we were brought here."

Asbel just noticed this too. "You're right. Where are they?"

Nausicaä thought about it for a moment. "Perhaps they sense an imbalance with the earth."

'Just like they did when the Tolmekians were waking up the Giant Warrior.' Asbel thought. "I just hope they'll come."

Nausicaä began spinning the insect charm faster. She wished that they had thought of this sooner. It seemed as if this would be their last chance.

The loud sound of tree branches and shrubs moving reached their hearing. Nausicaä and Asbel headed off in that direction, the former spinning the insect charm around faster than ever.

An Ohmu came crashing through the jungle, attracted to the whistling noise Nausicaä's insect charm made. To Asbel, it was just another Ohmu, but Nausicaä's eyes widen with recognition.

"Oh, it's you!" she cried.

Asbel gave her a strange look. "You know this Ohmu?"

Nausicaä nodded. "So do you."

"I do?"

He turned back to the Ohmu and was surprised to find its golden tentacles an inch away from his face. They gently caressed his forehead and he was once again touched.

The Ohmu was very glad to see them again. It was hoping that more humans would come with a better understanding like Asbel and Nausicaä. It was also curious as to why they were so far in the toxic jungle and why they seemed so anxious. Now it was becoming worried as it read Asbel's emotions. Fear and anger began settling in as the Ohmu sensed and felt everything that Asbel felt. There was danger. A man was causing a great imbalance. This man could ruin everything if he wasn't stopped. It was because of men like him that the insects were forced to stampede and be destructive. This man, Ved, he must be stopped.

The Ohmu's golden tentacles left Asbel, but the Pejite prince now recognized the Ohmu. This had been the one he had met when Asbel had brought him into the toxic jungle. The first Ohmu to have touched him.

"I remember you." he whispered.

The Ohmu didn't appear to have heard him. It's eyes were flickering from red to blue as it tried to control its rage and instinctual need to set things right.

"Ohmu, wait!" Nausicaä cried. She ran to the Ohmu and embraced it. "Ohmu, please, we need your help. We're going to die if you don't help us."

The Ohmu seemed to understand this as its eyes turned blue again. It reached out and touched her in the same way it had touched Asbel. The Pejite prince watched in fascination as Nausicaä bared her soul to the large insect, trusting it completely.

The Ohmu retracted its tentacles and turned around. Nausicaä immediately began climbing up its body.

"Nausicaä, what are you doing?" Asbel cried worriedly.

"It's ok." She offered him her hand. "He's going to help."

There was no time to hesitate. Asbel trusted Nausicaä, and if she trusted the Ohmu, then so did he. He couldn't not trust the Ohmu after having been touched by it anyway.

Taking Nausicaä's hand, he climbed up onto the Ohmu's back.

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"Sire, I did warn you." Ken told Ved.

The Kalvandir prince was in no mood. "Silence! I don't want to hear your voice."

Ken dared to continue speaking. "But what are we going to do now? Now that they know the truth-"

Ved whirled around. "I told you to shut up!" he snapped. He glared at the short balding man for a moment before speaking again. "We'll just have to go with the backup plan."

Ken's eyes widened. "But, sire, to kill them all?"

Ved nodded. "All of them. They're can't be any survivors. We may still be able to convince the rest of the world that I'm the prophesized one when they see how I can control the insects, but we must get rid of everyone in that valley."

Ken looked very uncomfortable, as did the guards. "Your highness, I must advise against this."

Ved smirked at him. "Killing Asbel and Nausicaä didn't seem to bother you."

Ken seemed to have trouble talking. "Y-Yes, but… you see… they…"

Roy stepped forward and spoke for Ken. "Sire, I believe that what he is trying to say is that killing one or two people for the greater good is one thing, but to wipe out an entire kingdom-"

"One life is the same as any other." Ved interrupted. "Kill one, or kill a hundred, it makes no difference to me as long as the end result is the same. I will bring a new order to this world, but all loose ends must be tied up."

Ken found his voice again. "Sire, I can't kill all those people."

Ved just smirked and turned away. "You don't have to. I will."

Ken and Roy watched as their beloved prince walked off, talking about wiping out an entire kingdom as if it was no big deal. It was now quite obvious to them that their prince was mad.

"This has gotten out of hand." Roy stated. He glanced down at Ken. "What are we going to do?"

The short bald man sighed. "He's still our prince. What can we do?"

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Nausicaä's breathing was becoming rapid. This was because she wasn't receiving enough oxygen when she took a breath. She was undoubtedly inhaling more carbon dioxide than oxygen. She was already feeling lightheaded and tired.

"Nausicaä, you alright?" Asbel asked.

She nodded. "It's just getting a little hard to breathe."

Asbel rested a hand on her shoulder. "Just hang on. I'm sure we're almost there."

He too was experiencing the same symptoms as Nausicaä. He was having doubts about whether they would make it or not, but he had to be strong for Nausicaä. She had to make it, regardless of what happened to him.

The Ohmu suddenly began slowing down until it stopped. Asbel looked down at it in confusion. "What's wrong? Are we there?"

He received no reply, not that he expected one. But there were no sand pits anywhere he could see. Wasn't the Ohmu supposed to bring them to one? Why did it stop here?

"Ohmu, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

The Ohmu moaned as its eyes began flashing red and its body trembled. It made a loud noise and a violent movement, throwing Asbel and Nausicaä off its back.

"Ohmu, what are you doing?" the Pejite prince cried. They didn't have time for games. He and Nausicaä were going to die unless they got to an oxygen cave, now.

The Ohmu ignored them and began heading off in a different direction, leaving the two humans behind. Asbel watched in disbelief as the insect abandoned them. Why was it leaving? Did it know that they wouldn't make it so it stopped trying? Did something more important come up? What could be more important than saving Nausicaä?

Then he saw it. Through and opening in the trees. Far off in the distance, in the direction the Ohmu was heading, was the Kalvandir airship. The trees beneath it moved as if something big, or lots of somethings big, were chasing it, and a swarm of insects flew through the air behind it. Asbel's eyes widened as he realized what was happening. Ved was using his mutant insect to call the others. Unable to resist the call, the Ohmu had left the two of them here as it followed the others towards the Kalvandir ship.

"Nausicaä, Ved's planning something." Asbel told her. "Something with that mutant Ohmu he's got. I have a bad feeling about this." He received no answer. "Nausicaä?"

Turning, he saw Nausicaä lying on the ground. Her chest was moving, as if she were trying to cough, and her face was turning blue.

"Nausicaä, no!" Asbel cried. He dropped to her side and looked at her oxygen supply. He didn't need to, it was obviously on E. "Nausicaä, why didn't you tell me?"

Without a second thought, he took a deep breath and switched the two tanks. His had very little left, but there was still some. He watched Nausicaä take a breath, but she remained unconscious.

'At least that'll give her some time.' he thought.

He lifted Nausicaä up and gave her a piggyback. But what was he going to do now? Nausicaä was unconscious and on their last bit of oxygen, and he was holding his breath, carrying her. What else could he do?

'If some miracle is supposed to kick in to save Nausicaä, now would be a good time.' he thought.

His lungs were burning. He was dying to take a breath, but he knew that if he did, he would only inhaul toxic fumes. Was this what it felt like to drown? Unable to take a breath less you die?

Asbel's legs gave out and he collapsed. He felt like he was going to pass out, but he couldn't inhaul.

'Have to keep going.' He thought, lifting his head. 'For Nausicaä, for everyone.'

He felt dizzy. Every instinct was telling him to breathe, but common sense told him not to. He could either hold his breath until he lost consciousness, or he could breathe and get poisoned.

'I'm sorry, Nausicaä, I failed you.' He looked forward. Everything was getting dark. 'I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Father, Lestella, I'll see you soon.'

He blinked as he looked at the light again. That wasn't the light at the end of the tunnel. That was light reflecting off something. That something was-

'Sand!'

Using the last of his strength, Asbel forced himself to his feet. Everything was getting dark, but the dim glow of the sand was still visible, and he headed towards that. He took a few stumbling steps before making a jump for it. The breath he was holding was forced out as he landed flat on his stomach in the sand.

Gravity took them.

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"Yes, more." Ved hissed. "More!"

The swarm of insects following the ship was getting bigger. Ved smirked as he looked at his army. Yes, his army. As long as he had his little science experiment, he could control them.

"Sire, I must once again advise against this." Ken said.

Ved just snickered. "Advise away. Your words fall on deaf ears."

"Please, sire, just think about what you're doing. This was the backup plan, but it was never supposed to come to this."

Ved sighed. "That's true, If only my beloved Nausicaä would have loved me. Perhaps I should have done away with Asbel in the beginning."

Ken swayed uncomfortably. "S-Sire, I've been thinking, and not just me, but the others as well. Perhaps we should end this charade."

Ved visibly tensed. He turned to the short man, his eyes glaring. "What are you saying?"

Ken's bottom lip trembled. "As good as it would be to have you lead society, perhaps we are making a mistake. We may be dooming our planet. I think you should reconsider you decis-"

"Silence!" Ved snapped. "One more word and I'll have you arrested for treason." He bent down so he was eyelevel with his so-called most loyal servant. "You wouldn't want to join Nausicaä and Asbel in the toxic jungle, would you?"

The color drained from Ken's face. "N-No, sire."

"Good." Ved grinned. "Then order my men to turn the ship around. We're going to crush the Valley of the Wind."

Ken gulped and looked hesitant, but dared not argue. "Yes, sire."

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Nausicaä's eyes began to flicker open. Feeling dizzy and light headed, she looked around, wondering where she was. The last thing she remembered was riding on the Ohmu in the…

Gasping, her hand flew to her face. Her mask was gone.

"Relax, we're safe."

Nausicaä looked down and blushed furiously as she realized that Asbel was giving her a piggyback ride through an oxygen cavern.

"We made it?" she asked.

Asbel nodded. "It was close, but yeah, we made it."

Nausicaä began to struggle off his back. "I can walk."

Asbel let her down and gave her a serious look. "Why didn't you tell me you were almost out of oxygen? I would have given you mine."

Nausicaä gave him a sad look. "That's why I didn't tell you. I didn't want you sacrificing yourself for me."

"Nausicaä, your life is more important than mine. I would gladly sacrifice myself if it meant you would live."

"Asbel, I-"

"Don't, Nausicaä. You're too important. To important to your people, to the world," he lowered his voice, "to me."

Nausicaä wasn't sure if she heard the last part. "What?"

Asbel shook his head. They didn't have time for this. "Nausicaä, listen, while you were out, the Ohmu that was carrying us, it… it…" He didn't know how to put it into words. "Look, I saw Ved's ship flying over the jungle. He's calling the insects. For what, I'm not sure, but it can't be good. We have to get out of here, fast." He held up the two tanks. "I already refilled our oxygen, we just have to hope that we make it to the next cave before we run out again." He hesitated, looking thoughtful. "You know what, maybe I should just stay here and you take both tanks. You'll have a better chance if you have twice as much-"

Nausicaä cut him off. "I am not leaving you here, Asbel. Either we both make it, or neither of us do. End of discussion."

"Nausicaä-"

"End of discussion! I am not going to leave if you're not with me."

Asbel growled. Why did she have to be so stubborn? "Nausicaä, your people need help. You can't sacrifice them for me."

Nausicaä just snatched her tank away from Asbel and hurried down the cavern. "We're wasting time arguing. I'm not changing my mind, now lets go."

Asbel remained were he was. He was somewhat surprised of how protective of him NausicaäHe was somewhat surprised had just become. And he had forgotten how stubborn she could be. Still, he loved her just the way she was.

"Asbel!"

He was brought out of his thoughts by her suddenly calling his name. Thinking she was in trouble, he ran in the direction she had taken off in. Instead of some unforeseen disaster, he saw her simply kneeling by one of the many piles of sand that fell from up above.

"Nausicaä, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

Nausicaä turned to him, smiling. "Remember how I told you that I've been trying to find the glider I had lost two years ago?"

She brushed aside the sand and Asbel's mouth dropped open. There, half buried, was the glider that had been lost all those years ago.

'Now that's what I call a miracle.'

(A/N: Surprised? Good. Now, I told you that there was an important factor in a previous chapter. So who spotted it? Yes, it was the glider. It was mentioned in Chapter 3. Nausicaä stated that back when she stopped the stampede of Ohmu two years ago, she lost the glider she had jumped off of when she tried to rescue the baby Ohmu and was still trying to find it. Well, she just found it. Perfect timing. Things are really beginning to heat up now, so don't miss the next chapter.)